Speaker
Description
Small Angle Scattering (SAS) plays a central role in deciphering bimolecular shapes and structures. Central to its application is the specification of a Dmax, an intrinsically artificial parameter that defines the width of the pair-density distribution. The fracfitSAXS approach presents an alternative transformative method that recasts the analysis of scattering phenomena. In a departure from conventional SAS fitting strategies, the approach ingeniously reformulates the problem into a linear programming problem (LPP), opening up new perspectives.
In practice, this approach is used to decipher the intricate architecture of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) core embedded in a membrane, an area of great importance in the context of cholesterol metabolism. Cleverly linking in situ SAS data with ex-situ cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) data provides a previously missing tool. This synergy improves our understanding of the intricate LDL structure and its dynamic interplay with apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100).
Another successful application involves the global energy demand and the need for the Green Deal initiative. In this context, the search for sustainable alternatives is gaining importance. The enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a compelling candidate due to its central role in lignocellulosic biomass utilization. Research into the mechanisms of the two-domain system of CDH and its transition between open and closed configuration, a crucial aspect of the regulation of electron transfer, is coming to the fore. With the presented approach, it can be shown that these dynamics are mainly controlled by electrostatic interactions, underlining the potential of CDH in the development of sustainable materials.
