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The MPW will increase the production of high-energy X-rays by 8 – 10 fold. Such X-rays are used for determining the structure of proteins, for the development of improved cancer treatments and for determining the nature of toxic metal atoms in pollutants among other uses. Studies will continue using the existing X-ray source until the MPW becomes fully operational in about two years. The funding was secured through the NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation Program, a highly competitive nationwide program to fund large items of scientific equipment. The principal investigator on the grant is Professor Marcia Newcomer, who is a protein crystallographer and chair of the LSU Department of Biological Sciences. “Grant reviews emphasized the importance of CAMD as a regional resource for Gulf Coast scientists,” said Newcomer. “They also praised the facility for providing access to cutting-edge science to minorities and underrepresented groups.” The LSU synchrotron at CAMD is an electron storage ring that produces intense beams of X-rays and ultraviolet light by passing the electrons through magnetic fields. The new MPW will have 11 superconducting magnets with a field strength of 7.5 Tesla – about 75,000 times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field. The new wiggler will serve four existing experimental stations called “beamlines,” which will be upgraded to withstand the greatly increased X-ray flux. The beamlines are dedicated to tomography and medical radiology, protein crystallography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and deep-etch X-ray lithography. Tomography uses X-rays to non-destructively visualize the internal structures of solids, similar to medical CAT scans but with approximately 1000 times better resolution. The same beamline is used by a medial radiology group to develop anti-cancer agents that can allow radiation to be more efficiently targeted to tumors. Protein crystallography is another experiment that is used to determine the three-dimensional shape of protein molecules, particularly enzymes. It has become an essential tool for the development of new drugs. X-ray absorption spectroscopy can determine the chemical state and type of chemical bonds of metal atoms. It has been used to investigate environmental samples resulting from flooding resulting from Hurricane Katrina and to evaluate candidate catalysts for the production of synthetic fuels. The deep-etch X-ray lithography beamline is unique in the United States and can produce microstructures with very deep but also very narrow features, enabling LSU researchers to build “lab on a chip” devices for medical applications. “We are very excited about the new research that this instrumentation will enable in studies of energy, the environment, medicine and drug discovery,” said Professor Richard Kurtz, interim director of CAMD. “This device will allow new cutting edge research programs and keep our faculty competitive, serving new centers like our new DOE Energy Frontier Research Center.” Additional Links: Energy Frontier Research Center http://appl003.lsu.edu/unv002.nsf/ebbed8deb406c8c986256da30052e7dd/a154b03fa22d1135862575a9004f34a6?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,EFRC CAMD www.camd.lsu.edu -30- |
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