Optimizing photoexcitation conditions for time-resolved X-ray solution scattering experiments.

Authors

Matteo Levantino

Published in

FEBS open bio. Jul 15, 2026. Epub Jul 15, 2026.

Abstract

Investigating the dynamics of biological molecules in real time is crucial to understand their biological function. Time-resolved X-ray solution scattering (TR-XSS) is an experimental technique that allows one to follow large-scale conformational changes of biological molecules in solution induced by a triggering event. In many cases, the triggering event is the absorption of a laser pulse, either by the biological molecule of interest or by photocaged compounds present in solution. Selecting the optimal photoexcitation conditions is a critical step in a TR-XSS experiment and it requires taking into account the laser beam properties, the sample characteristics, and the photoexcitation geometry. This protocol describes how to select the accessible experimental parameters in order to maximize the TR-XSS signal while avoiding nonlinear effects induced by an excessive laser peak power density. The provided set of guidelines will aid the experimentalists in the preparation and realization of their TR-XSS experiments.

PMID:
42453004
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.