High Resolution Sensor for Structural Biology

Current research in structural biology is focused on understanding the role of enzymes andproteins in regulating cellular metabolism and the way drugs bind to proteins so that more effective drugswhich can inhibit viral activity may be developed. Macromolecular crystallography provide informationregarding 3D distributions of atoms in biological molecules, and is an important factor in understandingthe mechanisms of such diseases as cancer and AIDS. New X-ray sources like the synchrotron beamsources as well as the new beam lines now under development such as the Advanced Photon Sourcehold great promise for macromolecular crystallography. They have not yet realized their potential dueto the lack of an appropriate position sensitive sensor. To address these specific needs, we propose todevelop a novel, large area X-ray imaging sensor coupled to a CCD using a fiberoptic taper demagnifier.This microstructured plate will produce a combination of greater light output and resolution than standardphosphors, allowing the imaging devices to use greater demagnification tapers and hence a large fieldof view. For detecting X-ray energies typically used in biological macromolecular crystallography, thissensor will provide high resolution, high detection efficiency, and a fast time response, allowing the fullpotential of the modern synchrotron sources to be realized.