Understanding how proteins behave in solution is fundamental to predicting their function, stability, and intermolecular interactions, especially in contexts where molecular design, screening, or formulation are key. Solution-based methods provide a physiologically relevant view of biomolecular structure and dynamics.
Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) offers a powerful, label-free approach for the structural analysis of biological macromolecules in solution, without the need for tags, labels or dyes. The BioSAXS beamline at the Australian Synchrotron is purpose-built for high-throughput, solution-based structural analysis, with a high-flux X-ray beam and flexible sample handling options to support a wide scope of research questions.
BioSAXS enables rapid screening of ligand libraries, buffer formulations or native structures to identify conformational changes across diverse conditions. With interchangeable batch and inline size exclusion chromatography modes, researchers can determine sample quality, distinguish bound from unbound complexes, and assess conformational changes. Time-resolved SAXS further allows dynamic studies from milliseconds to hours, capturing real-time conformational transitions and interactions. These capabilities are particularly valuable for evaluating engineered constructs, testing formulation conditions, and validating computational predictions.
As a complementary tool to crystallography and cryo-EM, BioSAXS reveals dynamic structural behaviour to support validation workflows, guide drug design, and refine predictive models for biological function and molecular engineering.