The UK-led OpenBind initiative has released its first publicly available dataset and predictive AI model, accelerating the discovery of new medicines using artificial intelligence. The release showcases high-quality, standardized experimental data and a trained predictive model, enabling researchers worldwide to drive the next generati...
A new foot-and-mouth disease vaccine developed by Diamond Light Source is projected to deliver over $1.3 billion in annual benefits, transforming global livestock resilience. The vaccine's unique features, including heat stability and scalability, make it a game-changer for farmers worldwide.
The UK's Diamond Light Source will host a delegation from the SESAME synchrotron radiation facility in Jordan, furthering an existing collaboration and providing technical equipment for new beamline development. The partnership aims to foster scientific excellence and international cooperation across the Middle East.
Researchers developed a new authentication technology that uses Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films to encode covert information, which can be revealed using a simple reading device. The technology has potential applications in various industries and shows promise for widespread use.
Researchers developed a fluorescent nanoparticle to visualize latent fingermarks, producing high-quality images and aiding in individual identification. The new method has the potential to be used directly at crime scenes without lab facilities.
Researchers have engineered a plant immune receptor to robustly bind a conserved fungal pathogen effector, demonstrating potential for new resistance traits against rice blast disease and other plant diseases. This approach could lead to improved crop protection and global food supply stability.
A systematic study of this scale has never been conducted at Diamond or anywhere else in the world. The project involved over 1000 scientists, 800 samples and 110 UK secondary schools, analyzing how different additives affect calcium carbonate formation.
A COVID Moonshot Consortium has made history by developing a potent SARS-CoV-2 antiviral lead compound through an unprecedented, crowdsourced approach. The project leveraged machine learning and high-throughput structural biology to identify novel compounds with excellent antiviral activity.
A study by Diamond Light Source reveals that mixtures of Zn-aggregates/micro-polymers leach out from commercial products containing Zinc Oxide, harming aquatic life. Microplastics can carry zinc particles, which can be ingested by fish and other organisms.
The HeXI project has completed the Conceptual Design Review and is now proceeding with the final Technical Design for a revolutionary new instrument. This will enable highly precise structure determination of pharmaceutical molecules and study small molecules like biologics, leveraging Diamond's expertise in crystallography and MX goni...
A new study demonstrates the potential of generative AI to accelerate the development of new antivirals and drug discovery. Researchers from IBM, Oxford University, and Diamond Light Source have developed an AI model that can generate antiviral molecules for multiple target virus proteins, including SARS-CoV-2.
Robert House, a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University, has been selected as one of Forbes Magazine's prestigious 30 people to watch under 30 in Europe Science and Healthcare. He is working on developing innovative, sustainable Na-ion battery materials that promise to be significantly lower cost than conventional Li-ion batteries.
A panel of four women from Diamond Light Source shares their professional journeys and addresses 21st century challenges, including energy research and pandemic preparedness. The workshop aims to inspire early career STEM professionals and promote diversity in the field.
The ExPaNDS project is holding four topic-based webinars showcasing how efficient management of data can increase its value through sharing and reuse. The webinars cover Life Sciences, Cultural Heritage Science, Tomography/Imaging, and Industry topics.
Researchers studied asteroid Ryugu's surface composition using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy and electron microscopy. They found dehydrated serpentine minerals and a water-rich interior, suggesting space weathering plays a key role in asteroid evolution.
Researchers have identified a new material, TiO2/Fe2O3 nanomaterial, that can clean and improve water quality with a single step treatment. This technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people exposed to carcinogenic arsenic through contaminated groundwater.
Structural insights from collaborative Oxford-Diamond research reveal new potential drug targets for novel antiviral drugs. The study elucidated how the viral polymerase interacts with cellular proteins, including ANP32A, and appropriates it to shelter viral RNA from detection by the immune system.
The UK Synchrotron facility, Diamond, has contributed £2.6 billion to the UK science and economy through its delivery of 12,000 published journal papers. This impact is demonstrated by the significant benefits achieved in various scientific disciplines, addressing global challenges such as disease, clean energy, and food security.
Researchers at the University of Cape Town have determined the first full-length structures of ACE using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals the protein's highly dynamic nature and mechanisms behind dimerization, potentially leading to novel site-selective inhibitors for hypertension treatment.
A team of scientists developed a board game, Diamond: The Game, to inspire secondary school students to consider STEM careers. Players experience the reality of working in scientific research and collaboration is emphasized as key to modern science.
A team of researchers has solved the structure of the HIV capsid alone and in complex with host factors using a novel approach. The breakthrough could lead to the development of capsid-targeting antivirals, providing new hope for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source used Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) to study the magnetic properties of nickelate superconductors. The study revealed that these materials exhibit similar magnetic behavior to cuprates, bringing scientists closer to understanding how high-temperature superconductivity arises.
Scientists identify 234 fragment compounds directly binding to SARS-CoV-2's Nsp3 Mac1 protein, mapping chemical motifs for potential antiviral drug development. The study lays out the next steps in designing and synthesizing more elaborate molecules with promising biological effects.
Researchers reveal the molecular mechanism of membrane-tethered protein synthesis in human mitochondria, shedding light on its dynamic structure and function. The discovery could explain how mitochondrial disorders such as deafness and cancer develop.
A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that LMTK3 inhibitors could be an effective treatment for breast cancer and potentially other types of cancer. The researchers successfully demonstrated the anticancer effects of LMTK3 inhibitors in cells and breast cancer models in mice.
A new technique allows reliable atomic-resolution images of hybrid photoactive perovskite thin films, unlocking insights into their atomic makeup and properties. The breakthrough enables researchers to study grain boundaries and crystal defects with unprecedented precision.
Researchers have fully identified the nature of oxidised oxygen in Li-rich NMC using RIXS, a key step towards tackling battery longevity and voltage fade. The study reveals that molecular O2 is trapped within the bulk material, enabling a new mechanism for explaining the O-redox process.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source and University of Manchester discovered a novel uranium-sulfur complex under conditions found in the environment, which can aid in uranium immobilisation. This compound forms through biogeochemical reactions involving dissolved chemical species, mineral surfaces, and microorganisms.
A new citizen science project, 'Science Scribbler - Virus Project', aims to train AI to identify virus particles by having people of all ages view screens and locate virus particles. This will help automate data segmentation processes, dramatically speeding up scientists' ability to understand research data in days rather than weeks.
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is investing £1.55m in a unique electron microscope that will allow researchers to visualize structures at near atomic scale in time and space. This technology will enable the development of new treatments for diseases such as cancer, malaria, and Alzheimer's.
Researchers used Diamond Light Source's synchrotron facility to study seed coat thinning in horsegram, a bean commonly eaten in southern India. The high-resolution X-ray computed tomography technique showed that domestication occurred between 2000 BC and 1200 BC.
Scientists at Diamond Light Source developed a new Pan-DDAA method to extract clear detail from X-ray diffraction data. The approach identifies noise sources and removes them, exploiting the ability of Diamond's beamline to repeat measurements quickly.
The LDE facility at Diamond Light Source allows scientists to study material behavior over extended periods, revealing new insights into how materials interact on the atomic scale. The facility is currently supporting experiments on nuclear waste disposal, Arctic sea ice melting, and drug compound behavior.
Scientists at Diamond Light Source are pioneering research to make the nuclear fuel cycle safer, more efficient, and straightforward. They're developing new cement materials that can effectively contain radioactive waste for thousands of years.
Researchers are creating a synthetic vaccine that mimics the structure of the live virus to provide a quicker, easier, and safer alternative. The goal is to eradicate polio without the danger of accidental release associated with traditional vaccines.
The Diamond Light Source facility has been upgraded to analyze pathogens requiring Containment Level 3, including serious viruses responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis, and flu. This capability enables scientists to study virus structures in detail, opening up new paths for therapeutic treatments and vaccines.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research and Birkbeck University use Diamond Light Source's X-rays to unravel the mechanisms linked to pheromone detection in silkworm moths. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing new eco-friendly pest control methods, which could also benefit biosensors and detect explosives.
A new research platform at Diamond Light Source will enable cultural heritage scientists to scan and image large relics up to two tonnes in weight with incredible precision. This will help uncover ancient secrets and answer questions about the origin, history, and technology used to create artefacts.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source have developed a new technique using X-ray eyes to map metal distribution in brain tissue, which could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease. By studying the distribution of metal ions in affected regions, scientists hope to improve MRI detection and diagnosis.
The study solved the structure of a biological protein from the vaccinia virus, providing insights into its relationships with other viruses. This discovery is significant as it can help develop new therapies to treat various viruses, offering potential solutions to outbreaks and pandemics.
Researchers at Cardiff University are making discoveries about the eye using X-ray scattering techniques at Diamond Light Source, shedding light on keratoconus and its effects. The study aims to advance laser surgeries like LASIK and develop artificial corneas to improve the quality of life for those affected by serious eye diseases.