The APS lets researchers at the SBC collect atomic-scale structural data by taking brilliant X-rays of tiny, frozen, protein crystals to capture data on an electronic camera and then use computers to convert the data into three-dimensional images.
The SBC is also greatly reducing the time required
to solve molecular structures, using new tools and techniques developed here. This includes recent advances with larger, faster X-ray detectors and robotic automation of the time-consuming laboratory processes for growing protein copies and crystals. Research that recently took months or years now takes only hours or days.