How to map the 3D model of a protein complex to help design treatments for mental disorders?

Check out our XFEL explainer on SLAC's website: https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/research/slac-science-explained/xfels

Studying a protein complex that facilitates the release of neurotransmitters, the signaling chemicals in the brain, scientists managed to model the atomic structure in 3D! Knowing this atomic structure can help in designing treatments to control the release of such neurotransmitters. Many mental disorders, including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety, affect neurotransmitter systems. To generate the 3D model, scientists used X-rays to scan the protein complex. X-rays will damage the proteins, making it hard to obtain good information. So they used LCLS, the X-ray laser at SLAC, also called an X-ray free electron laser or XFEL for short. The advantage of X-ray lasers compared to other X-ray light sources is the brightness and extremely short duration of its X-ray pulses. With such short, bright pulses, the X-rays expose the proteins and generate enough data to map the atomic structure with precision before causing damage. That’s the power of XFELs. To understand more about how the XFEL at SLAC is able to achieve such feats, we made an explainer video: https://youtu.be/kUeraeIkTmo

Are you curious about SLAC's XFEL, the most powerful X-ray laser built for scientific research on earth? Post your questions in the comments.

Video is produced by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory where the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is located.

Musicbed License: MB01Y4LETXKSWKV

Видео How to map the 3D model of a protein complex to help design treatments for mental disorders? канала SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory