Acquisition of a Hybrid Small/Macromolecule X-Ray Diffractometer System

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, Sean Parkin and colleagues at the University of Kentucky will purchase a hybrid small/macromolecule X-ray diffractometer system with a SMART CCD detector. The instrumentation will include a rotating anode dual source X-ray generator, k-axis goniometer, focusing optics and low-temperature apparatus. The PIs will investigate polymorphism, superstructures, absolute stereochemistry, highly reactive/unstable compounds, charge density analysis and protein structure. Faculty at numerous small institutions in the area will also have access at no charge. The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have an impact in a number of areas, including polymer sciences and biochemistry.