Center for Structural Molecular Biology
The Center for Structural Molecular Biology (CSMB) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is dedicated to advancing scientific tools and techniques for determining the three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), and their higher-order complexes. These structures are fundamental to understanding how molecular systems assemble and interact within living cells, ultimately bridging the gap between cellular function and the molecular mechanisms that drive life processes.
Supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), the CSMB operates as an open-access user program, providing researchers with cutting-edge resources to explore biomolecular structures in unprecedented detail. The center’s work is particularly valuable for studying hierarchical structures and biomimetic systems, contributing to fields such as bioengineering, medicine, and energy research.
A key facility of the CSMB is the Bio-SANS (Biological Small-Angle Neutron Scattering) instrument, located at ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor. Bio-SANS uses neutron scattering to analyze biological samples, offering unique insights into molecular structures, interactions, and dynamics. This technique is particularly powerful for investigating large and complex biological assemblies that are difficult to study using other methods like X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy.
In addition to Bio-SANS, the CSMB operates a Bio-Deuteration Laboratory, which specializes in cloning, protein expression, purification, and deuterium labeling of biological macromolecules. Deuterium labeling—where hydrogen atoms in a molecule are replaced with deuterium—enhances neutron scattering experiments, allowing researchers to construct highly detailed models of complex biological systems. These models provide crucial information about how biomolecules function and interact at a molecular level, leading to deeper insights into fundamental biological processes.
By developing and refining these advanced structural biology techniques, the Center for Structural Molecular Biology plays a vital role in expanding scientific understanding of life at the molecular scale, supporting research that has implications for drug development, fuels, materials science, and beyond.
Click here to learn about capabilities available at other BER Structural Biology and Imaging Resources.