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Neutron Workshop on Biological and Soft Matter Science

Neutron scattering and biophysics: Challenges and Opportunities

Speaker

Xiangqiang Chu , Graduate School of China Academy of Engineering Physics, China

Time

13 May, 10:50 - 11:20

Abstract

Neutron scattering provide exceptional tools for studying the dynamics and structures of protein and other biopolymers in real time at the molecular level. We may ask, what is the future applications that neutron scattering can possibly provide for biophysics study? In this talk, I will discuss several possible future directions by means of some examples. For structural study, SANS, specifically SANS with contrast variation, definitely will be one of the most promising directions. For sure the recent cryo-EM revolution will impact the field of structural biology, SANS has its unique advantage and will provide complementarity to the field. For the dynamics study, in addition to the broad applications of QENS, NSE probes motions on longer time scales of up to ~100 ns, and holds tremendous potential for determining functionally important motions of proteins. Currently we are developing the first NSE instruments in China, at CMRR. Finally, we will discuss briefly on quantum biology as another possible application that neutron scattering can provides in the future, to look on the role of quantum effects in biology.