Abstract
Even as recently as the mid 1980s, synchrotron radiation sources, although used for data collection from crystals of biological macromolecules, were a useful but probably inessential tool for structural biologists. Since then, however, the field has been revolutionised, particularly as a result of the very rapid developments in structural biology over that same period. This paper outlines how synchrotron radiation sources have become an essential research tool across a wide range of scientific disciplines. The physical principles of synchrotron radiation production are described, as well as the practical operation of a typical synchrotron facility. The discussion then goes on to focus on some important applications of synchrotron radiation in biocrystallography. In conclusion, consideration is given to why national governments and research funders are still willing to invest in such large-scale and costly facilities, bucking the trend of international collaboration in other ‘big science’ situations.
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