In-Situ Nano-Imaging of Biological and Chemical Processes

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Notkestr. 85
22607 Hamburg

Projektpartner:

Universität Göttingen
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Technische Universität Dresden

In the emerging fields of nano science, chemical technology and the life sciences there is an increasing demand for imaging of micro- to nanometer sized objects with highest possible spatial resolution. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of nano-sized objects strongly depend on their structure. Therefore, nanoscopic structure determination is at the heart of understanding biological and chemical processes and is crucial to address the grand challenges in health, environmental, and energy research.

X-ray imaging techniques are well suited to these ends, as they provide element specific chemical and structural contrast at high spatial resolution also from the interior of bulk samples or from samples in special environments. The new sources at DESY, PETRA III and FLASH, are ideal to reach these goals. In particular X-ray imaging techniques on the nanoscale directly benefit from the high brilliance of theses sources. In the frame of this Virtual Institute we would like to bring together expertise in x-ray imaging, biology and chemistry to enable in-situ imaging of biological and chemical processes with the xray microscopes at PETRA III and FLASH, and at the European XFEL in the future. In example applications, we will address important questions in biology (membranes, cell ultrastructure, selfassembly mechanisms) and chemistry (catalysis, redox and precipitation reactions), adapting and developing further the x-ray microscopes and special sample environments, such as chemical reactors, microfluidic cells and cryogenic sample environments.

Our Virtual Institute comprises groups from four universities (U. Göttingen, U. Heidelberg, KIT Campus South, and TU Dresden) and DESY. The dual affiliation of two scientists to KIT Campus North also brings this Helmholtz Center into our Virtual Institute.

Administrative Coordinator of the Virtual Institute

Technische Universität Dresden
Institut für Strukturphysik
Prof. Dr. Christian Schroer
D-01062 Dresden
Tel.: +49 351 463 37589
Fax: +49 351 463 37048
E-Mail: schroer@physik.tu-dresden.de

Administrative Coordinator at DESY

Prof. Dr. Edgar Weckert
DESY
Notkestraße 85
22607 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40 8998 1803
Fax: +40 40 8998 4475
E-Mail: edgar.weckert@desy.de

Weiterführende Links
application/pdf Sachbericht 2011 (1.9 MB)
 
application/pdf Sachbericht 2012 (6.0 MB)
 
application/pdf Sachbericht 2014 (3.1 MB)
 
application/pdf Sachbericht 2015 (44.9 MB)
 
application/pdf Sachbericht 2016 (55.1 MB)
 
application/pdf Schlussbericht 2017 (3.2 MB)