Education / Outreach sub

[Peter C]

Hi all, I am a high school science teacher. Could not find a sub-forum for non specialists. Is it possible to create one? I have a few questions about this most interesting field.

regards Peter C

[AL]

Dear Peter C, feel free to ask your questions in this thread; we may create a subforum if there will be enough interest.

[Peter C]

Cheers, will do.

[Peter C]

questions;

1. what broad categories of problems/phenomena are solved/investigated with SAX
2. what information does SAX yield about the physical properties of matter
3. what information does SAX yield about physical processes
4. what discipline does SAX fall under in university research/education (what courses is it taught in and what level)
5. what are the limitations of current SAX
6. what will future SAX devices be capable of (prediction)


thanks any responses.

[AL]

1. what broad categories of problems/phenomena are solved/investigated with SAX

SAXS stands for Small Angle X-ray Scattering. This technique can be applied to a wide range of problems. On this Forum we primarily discuss scattering of macromolecules in solution - typically SAXS studies of proteins and other biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA, lipids, carbohydrates) and complexes thereof.

2. what information does SAX yield about the physical properties of matter

In case of biological macromolecules: sizes and three-dimensional low resolution shapes; oligomeric state; flexibility.

3. what information does SAX yield about physical processes

Structural transitions; effects of ligand binding, temperature changes, pH shifts etc.

4. what discipline does SAX fall under in university research/education (what courses is it taught in and what level)

Eh... I guess biophysics/molecular biology. There are various courses for PhD students and postdocs.

5. what are the limitations of current SAX

It is a low resolution (10-30Å) technique. In many cases a monodisperse solution is required.

6. what will future SAX devices be capable of (prediction)

Time-resolved studies - e.g. capturing the process of protein folding.

[Peter C]

Thanks, haven't logged on in a while. Still getting my head around it. From your responses thank you.

What is a competing but alternative technique to researching the problems you mentioned and what advantage does sax bring.

If I understand your responses it seems microscopy techniques yield similar information eg size etc. Does sax complement microscopy data?