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在分子水平上发生的生物过程是重要的。x射线晶体学已经成功地测定了蛋白质的结构，然而，它不太适合分析氢原子和水分子。研究表明，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面积覆盖、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，我们建议开发一种大面积的热中子数字成像探测器，它提供了比目前可能的更好的表面覆盖、空间分辨率、探测效率和动态范围的组合。该探测器基于一种新型的大面积闪烁体，专为热中子成像而设计，并与数字读数相结合。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，它将提供对疾病进展的更好理解，通过中子衍射研究提高对病毒结构的了解。该探测器可用于任何中子源设施，并将有助于推进蛋白质机制和药物设计的基础研究。非生物医学应用可以在入境口岸和战略设施的无损检测和安全扫描中找到。

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.