Molecular movies are all about studying biomolecular interactions over timescales ranging from femto- to milliseconds by exploiting pump-probe and time delay capabilities of XFEL and time-resolved experiments at the Australian synchrotron.
The assumption that protein function can be understood from static protein structures is not always valid. Time-resolved information from molecular systems is thus often necessary. Biological processes typically range over femtosecond to microsecond time scales, but may persist over minutes. Recent development of pump-probe and femtosecond time-delay experiments at XFEL facilities offers the possibility of studying biomolecular processes at high spatial and temporal scales so that “molecular movies” can be made at spatial resolutions approaching the atomic scale.
We aim to help develop this area in Australia looking a molecular movies of import key biological targets.