I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength)
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9948]
Abstract: The Pictet–Spengler reaction is a valuable route to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (THBC) and isoquinoline scaffolds found in many important pharmaceuticals. Strictosidine synthase (STR) catalyzes the Pictet–Spengler condensation of tryptamine and the aldehyde secologanin to give (S)-strictosidine as a key intermediate in indole alkaloid biosynthesis. STRs also accept short-chain aliphatic aldehydes to give enantioenriched alkaloid products with up to 99% ee STRs are thus valuable asymmetric organocatalysts for applications in organic synthesis. The STR catalysis of reactions of small aldehydes gives an unexpected switch in stereopreference, leading to formation of the (R)-products. Here we report a rationale for the formation of the (R)-configured products by the STR enzyme from Ophiorrhiza pumila (OpSTR) using a combination of X-ray crystallography, mutational, and molecular dynamics (MD) studies. We discovered that short-chain aldehydes bind in an inverted fashion compared to secologanin leading to the inverted stereopreference for the observed (R)-product in those cases. The study demonstrates that the same catalyst can have two different productive binding modes for one substrate but give different absolute configuration of the products by binding the aldehyde substrate differently. These results will guide future engineering of STRs and related enzymes for biocatalytic applications.
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Jan 2020
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Christopher R.
Wellaway
,
Dominique
Amans
,
Paul
Bamborough
,
Heather
Barnett
,
Rino A.
Bit
,
Jack A.
Brown
,
Neil R.
Carlson
,
Chun-wa
Chung
,
Anthony W. J.
Cooper
,
Peter D.
Craggs
,
Robert P.
Davis
,
Tony W.
Dean
,
John P.
Evans
,
Laurie
Gordon
,
Isobel L.
Harada
,
David J.
Hirst
,
Philip G.
Humphreys
,
Katherine L.
Jones
,
Antonia J.
Lewis
,
Matthew J.
Lindon
,
Dave
Lugo
,
Mahnoor
Mahmood
,
Scott
Mccleary
,
Patricia
Medeiros
,
Darren J.
Mitchell
,
Michael
O’sullivan
,
Armelle
Le Gall
,
Vipulkumar K.
Patel
,
Chris
Patten
,
Darren L.
Poole
,
Rishi R.
Shah
,
Jane E.
Smith
,
Kayleigh A. J.
Stafford
,
Pamela J.
Thomas
,
Mythily
Vimal
,
Ian D.
Wall
,
Robert J.
Watson
,
Natalie
Wellaway
,
Gang
Yao
,
Rab K.
Prinjha
Abstract: The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of bromodomain-containing proteins are important regulators of the epigenome through their ability to recognize N-acetyl lysine (KAc) post-translational modifications on histone tails. These interactions have been implicated in various disease states and, consequently, disruption of BET–KAc binding has emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy with a number of small molecule inhibitors now under investigation in the clinic. However, until the utility of these advanced candidates is fully assessed by these trials, there remains scope for the discovery of inhibitors from new chemotypes with alternative physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles. Herein, we describe the discovery of a candidate-quality dimethylpyridone benzimidazole compound which originated from the hybridization of a dimethylphenol benzimidazole series, identified using encoded library technology, with an N-methyl pyridone series identified through fragment screening. Optimization via structure- and property-based design led to I-BET469, which possesses favorable oral pharmacokinetic properties, displays activity in vivo, and is projected to have a low human efficacious dose.
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Jan 2020
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E02-JEM ARM 300CF
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[22207]
Abstract: Confining electric fields to a nanoscale region is challenging yet crucial for applications such as high resolution probing of electrical properties of materials and electric-field manipulation of nanoparticles. State-of-the-art techniques involving atomic force microscopy typically have a lateral resolution limit of tens of nanometers due to limitations in the probe geometry and stray electric fields that extend over space. Engineering the probes is the most direct approach to improving this resolution limit. However, current methods to fabricate high-resolution probes, which can effectively confine the electric fields laterally involve expensive and sophisticated probe manipulation, which has limited the use of this approach. Here, we demonstrate that nanoscale phase switching of configurable thin films on probes can result in high-resolution electrical probes. These configurable coatings can be both germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST) as well as amorphous-carbon, materials known to undergo electric field-induced non-volatile, yet reversible switching. By forming a localized conductive filament through phase transition, we demonstrate a spatial resolution of electrical field beyond the geometrical limitations of commercial platinum probes (i.e. an improvement of ~48%). We then utilize these confined electric fields to manipulate nanoparticles with single nanoparticle precision via dielectrophoresis. Our results advance the field of nanomanufacturing and metrology with direct applications for pick and place assembly at the nanoscale.
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Jan 2020
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I12-JEEP: Joint Engineering, Environmental and Processing
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[11161]
Open Access
Abstract: We report the synthesis of organometal halide perovskites by milling CH3NH3I and PbI2 directly with an Al2O3 scaffold to create hybrid Al2O3-CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites, without the use of organic capping ligands that otherwise limit the growth of the material in the three dimensions. Not only does this improve the ambient stability of perovskites in air (100 min versus 5 min for dimethylformamide (DMF)-processed material), the method also uses much fewer toxic solvents (terpineol versus dimethylformamide). This has been achieved by solid-state reaction of the perovskite precursors to produce larger perovskite nanoparticles. The resulting hybrid perovskite–alumina particles effectively improve the hydrophobicity of the perovskite phase whilst the increased thermal mass of the Al2O3 increases the thermal stability of the organic cation. Raman data show the incorporation of Al2O3 shifts the perovskite spectrum, suggesting the formation of a hybrid 3D mesoporous stack. Laser-induced current mapping (LBIC) and superoxide generation measurements, coupled to thermogravimetric analysis, show that these hybrid perovskites demonstrate slightly improved oxygen and thermal stability, whilst ultra-fast X-ray diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation show substantial (20×) increase in humidity stability. Overall, these data show considerably improved ambient stability of the hybrid perovskites compared to the solution-processed material.
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Jan 2020
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I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Abstract: The CRISPR system in bacteria and archaea provides adaptive immunity against mobile genetic elements. Type III CRISPR systems detect viral RNA, resulting in the activation of two regions of the Cas10 protein: an HD nuclease domain (which degrades viral DNA)1,2 and a cyclase domain (which synthesizes cyclic oligoadenylates from ATP)3,4,5. Cyclic oligoadenylates in turn activate defence enzymes with a CRISPR-associated Rossmann fold domain6, sculpting a powerful antiviral response7,8,9,10 that can drive viruses to extinction7,8. Cyclic nucleotides are increasingly implicated in host–pathogen interactions11,12,13. Here we identify a new family of viral anti-CRISPR (Acr) enzymes that rapidly degrade cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA4). The viral ring nuclease AcrIII-1 is widely distributed in archaeal and bacterial viruses and in proviruses. The enzyme uses a previously unknown fold to bind cA4 specifically, and a conserved active site to rapidly cleave this signalling molecule, allowing viruses to neutralize the type III CRISPR defence system. The AcrIII-1 family has a broad host range, as it targets cA4 signalling molecules rather than specific CRISPR effector proteins. Our findings highlight the crucial role of cyclic nucleotide signalling in the conflict between viruses and their hosts.
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Jan 2020
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B22-Multimode InfraRed imaging And Microspectroscopy
I08-Scanning X-ray Microscopy beamline (SXM)
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[15050, 14953]
Abstract: Precambrian fossils of fungi are sparse, and the knowledge of their early evolution and the role they played in the colonization of land surface are limited. Here, we report the discovery of fungi fossils in a 810 to 715 million year old dolomitic shale from the Mbuji-Mayi Supergroup, Democratic Republic of Congo. Syngenetically preserved in a transitional, subaerially exposed paleoenvironment, these carbonaceous filaments of ~5 μm in width exhibit low-frequency septation (pseudosepta) and high-angle branching that can form dense interconnected mycelium-like structures. Using an array of microscopic (SEM, TEM, and confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy) and spectroscopic techniques (Raman, FTIR, and XANES), we demonstrated the presence of vestigial chitin in these fossil filaments and document the eukaryotic nature of their precursor. Based on those combined evidences, these fossil filaments and mycelium-like structures are identified as remnants of fungal networks and represent the oldest, molecularly identified remains of Fungi.
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Jan 2020
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B18-Core EXAFS
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18835]
Abstract: Efficient control of the work function (WF) of metals and their increase to ultra‐high values are crucial for their applications in functional devices applying interfacial charge transport processes. We report an ultra‐high increase in the WF of silver, from 4.26 to 7.42 eV, that is, an increase of up to ~3.1 eV. This, apparently, highest WF on record for metals supports and is supported by recent computational studies which predict the potential ability to affect an increase of the WF of metals by more than 4 eV. We achieved the ultra‐high increase by a new approach: Rather than using the common method of 2D adsorption of polar molecules layers on the metal surface, we have incorporated WF modifying components ‐ L‐cysteine and Zn(OH) 2 ‐ within the metal, resulting in a 3D architecture. Detailed material characterization by a large array of analytical methods was carried out (XRD, SEM, EDS mapping, TGA/MS, synchrotron X‐ray absorption, inelastic neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy) the combination of which points to a WF enhancement mechanism which is based on affecting directly the charge transfer ability of the metal separately by cysteine and hydrolyzed zinc(II), and synergistically by the combination of the two components through the known Zn‐cysteine finger redox trap effect. Some additional properties include the ability to fine‐tune the WF from the pure silver values and up; the conductivity of the doped silver remains practically unaffected; the WF is stable beyond 3 months of storage; and it is heat resistant up to 150 o C. The ability to tailor WF changes from the standard value of silver and up over a wide range, will certainly find its applications wherever tuning of the WF is needed for the design of charge transport devices.
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Jan 2020
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I12-JEEP: Joint Engineering, Environmental and Processing
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18468]
Open Access
Abstract: There are several mechanisms contributing towards detrimental damage in wind turbine gearbox bearings, with sudden overload events believed to reduce their expected operational life. The generation of subsurface plasticity, followed by rolling contact fatigue, may lead to the initiation of either surface or subsurface cracking. This study presents a novel technique capable of measuring subsurface strain evolution in a rotating roller bearing, using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. A pre-overloaded bearing was tested dynamically and consequently failed prematurely, supporting the hypothesis that overloads accelerate bearing failure. Throughout the test, an increase in compressive radial strain was observed, indicative of material softening, generally associated with the unstable stage of rolling contact fatigue, which occurs prior to definitive bearing failure.
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Dec 2019
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I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18206]
Abstract: Pure and Nb-doped zirconium germanate materials of composition K2-xZr1-xNbxGe3O9.H2O where x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25 with the structure of the mineral umbite have been successfully synthesised. The parent material displays negligible ion exchange of K+ for Cs+ but the doped materials shows much improved exchange. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction shows substantial peak splitting which varies with increasing niobium content. Preliminary Rietveld refinements suggest a two phase model with a caesium and potassium rich doped umbite phase.
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Dec 2019
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I15-Extreme Conditions
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9902, 8858, 17412]
Abstract: The atomic-scale structural evolution of Ga68.5In21·5Sn10 (wt. %) liquid alloy has been explored utilizing in-situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction from room temperature (293 K) to around the melting point. During the process of decreasing temperature, bond lengths of dominant atomic pairs decrease, whereas the total coordination numbers of the first nearest neighbor shell increase. This structural transition is ascribed to the redistribution of atoms and/or clusters and the decrease of vacancies induced by decreasing temperature. Our results are supportive for further understanding the atomic-scale structural evolution of liquid alloys at the low-temperature condition.
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Dec 2019
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