Serial small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering with laboratory sources

Recent advances in X-ray instrumentation and sample injection systems have enabled serial crystallography of protein nanocrystals and the rapid structural analysis of dynamic processes. However, this progress has been restricted to large-scale X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) and synchrotron facilities, which are often oversubscribed and have long waiting times. Here, we explore the potential of state-of-the-art laboratory X-ray systems to perform comparable analyses when coupled to micro- and millifluidic sample environments. Our results demonstrate that commercial small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) instruments and X-ray diffractometers are ready to access samples and timescales (greater than or similar to 5 ms) relevant to many processes in materials science including the preparation of pharmaceuticals, nanoparticles and functional crystalline materials. Tests of different X-ray instruments highlighted the importance of the optical configuration and revealed that serial WAXS/XRD analysis of the investigated samples was only possible with the higher flux of a microfocus setup. We expect that these results will also stimulate similar developments for structural biology.

Automated summary

The recent advances in X-ray instrumentation have enabled the rapid structural analysis of dynamic processes in protein nanocrystals. This study explores the potential of laboratory X-ray systems coupled with micro- and millifluidic sample environments for comparable analyses. The results show that commercial small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering instruments and X-ray diffractometers are ready to access relevant samples and timescales in materials science, and these findings are expected to stimulate similar developments in structural biology.