Digital 2-D Neutron Detector for Protein Function Studies

描述（由申请人提供）：关于蛋白质结构和功能的信息对于揭示分子水平上发生的生物过程非常重要。X射线晶体学在确定蛋白质结构方面已经取得了成功，然而，它并不适合分析氢原子和水分子。已经表明，热中子是探测蛋白质和水之间相互作用的更好的工具，因为它们直接与轻核相互作用，而不是像X射线衍射那样与它们的电子云相互作用。然而，热中子的使用一直没有得到充分利用，部分原因是缺乏足够的探测器。目前的二维中子探测器不能提供足够的区域覆盖、空间分辨率、灵敏度和最适合给定应用的几何形状。为了解决这些问题，我们建议开发一个大面积的热中子数字成像探测器，它提供了一个更好的组合的表面覆盖率，空间分辨率，探测效率和动态范围比目前可能的。该探测器是基于一种新型的，大面积的闪烁体，专门用于成像热中子，耦合到一个数字读出。这种热中子成像系统将推进用于大分子晶体学和中子射线照相术的最先进的探测器。高分辨率中子成像将为生物系统、聚合物和其他有序结构提供更好的见解。例如，它将通过中子衍射研究提供对疾病进展的更好理解，对病毒结构的更深入了解。拟议的探测器可以在任何中子源设施，并将有助于推进蛋白质机制以及药物设计的基础研究。非生物医学应用可在入境口岸和战略设施的无损检测和无损扫描中找到。 这个第二阶段项目的目标是开发用于中子大分子晶体学的高空间分辨率闪烁体，该闪烁体补充了X射线晶体学精确定位蛋白质分子中氢原子的能力。氢位置的信息对于监测蛋白质动力学非常重要，有助于了解疾病的性质。所提出的探测器可以在任何中子源设施，并将有助于推进蛋白质机制的研究以及药物设计。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Information on the structure and function of proteins is important for unveiling biological processes taking place on a molecular level. X-ray crystallography has been successful in determining protein structure, however, it is not well suited for analyzing hydrogen atoms and water molecules. It has been shown that the thermal neutrons are a far better tool for probing interactions between proteins and water, because they interact directly with light nuclei, not their electron clouds as in case of x-ray diffraction. However, the use of thermal neutrons has been underutilized, partially due to the lack of adequate detectors. Current two-dimensional detectors for neutrons do not provide adequate area coverage, spatial resolution, sensitivity, and geometry best suited for the given application. To address these issues, we propose to develop a large area digital imaging detector for thermal neutrons, which offers a better combination of surface coverage, spatial resolution, detection efficiency and dynamic range than is currently possible. The detector is based on a novel, large-area scintillator, tailored for imaging thermal neutrons, coupled to a digital readout. This thermal neutron imaging system will advance the state-of-the-art of detectors used in macromolecular crystallography and neutron radiography. High resolution neutron imaging will provide better insights into biological systems, and polymers and other ordered structures. For example, it will provide better understanding of disease progression, improved insights into viral structures through neutron diffraction studies. The proposed detector could be employed at any neutron source facility and would help to advance basic research in protein mechanisms as well as drug design. Non-biomedical applications could be found in non-destructive testing and secuity scanning at entry ports and strategic facilities. The goal of this Phase II project is to develop at high spatial resolution scintillator for neutron macromolecular crystallography, which compliments x-ray crystallography in its ability to precisely locate hydrogen atoms in protein molecules. The information on hydrogen location is important for monitoring protein dynamics and helps to understand nature of disease. The proposed detector could be employed at any neutron source facility and would help to advance research of protein mechanisms as well as drug design.