Digital 2-D Neutron Detector for Protein Function Studies

描述(由申请人提供)：有关蛋白质结构和功能的信息对于揭示发生在分子水平上的生物过程很重要。X射线结晶学在确定蛋白质结构方面已经取得了成功，但不能很好地用于氢原子和水分子的分析。已经证明，热中子是探测蛋白质和水之间相互作用的更好工具，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，热中子的使用一直未得到充分利用，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、灵敏度和最适合特定应用的几何形状。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表面覆盖、空间分辨率、探测效率和动态范围更好的组合。该探测器基于一种新型的大面积闪烁体，该闪烁体是为热中子成像量身定做的，与数字读数相耦合。这一热中子成像系统将推动用于大分子结晶学和中子照相的探测器的最先进水平。高分辨率中子成像将提供对生物系统、聚合物和其他有序结构的更好洞察。例如，它将提供对疾病进展的更好理解，通过中子衍射研究改进对病毒结构的洞察。建议的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的基础研究以及药物设计。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。 这一二期项目的目标是开发用于中子大分子结晶学的高空间分辨率闪烁体，它补充了X射线结晶学在蛋白质分子中精确定位氢原子的能力。关于氢位置的信息对于监测蛋白质动力学和帮助理解疾病的性质是重要的。建议的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.