Photon and Neutron Applications to the Study of Biological and Nanoscale Systems

Name: Photon and Neutron Applications to the Study of Biological and Nanoscale Systems
Start: 2014-05-19T08:00:00+10:00
End: 2014-05-21T18:15:00+10:00
Location: Australian Synchrotron

19 May 2014, 08:00 → 21 May 2014, 18:15 Australia/Melbourne

Australian Synchrotron

800 Blackburn Rd, Clayton VIC 3168

Description

Overview

The School

The School will be run on Monday the 19th of May.
The purpose of the school is to train students on experimental aspects and analysis techniques, with a focus on X-ray Small Angle Scattering and its application to nanoscale systems.
Students wishing to attend the school and workshop will need to submit:

A short description outlining how attending the School and Workshop will benefit their research (1 page maximum)
A letter of support from their university supervisor endorsing them attending the school.

The Workshop

The Workshop will commence on the 20th of May at 8:00 am and conclude at 18:00 on the 21st of May.

The workshop will focus on applications of synchrotron X-rays, Free Electron Lasers, and neutron scattering to the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology, structural biology, life sciences and pharmaceutical research, molecular electronics, surface science and related fields. The scope of the workshop is to inform students and researchers as to the advances in research in these fields, technique development, and to promote collaboration between Australian and Italian scientists.

Presentations

Workshop participants who wish to give a presentation will need to submit a 1 page abstract here.

Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the conference please download one of the following forms and email to user.office@synchrotron.org.au

Organizing Committee

Kevin Prince, Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, IT
Alessandra Gianoncelli, Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, IT
Giuliana Tromba, Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, IT
Oscar Moze, Scientific Attaché, Embassy of Italy, Canberra, AU
Andrew Peele, CXS and Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne, AU
Michael James, Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne, AU

Sponsored by

Participants

ABDULRAHMAN TAJALDEEN
Adam Quek
Alan Riboldi-Tunnicliffe
Alessandra Gianoncelli
Andrea Locatelli
Andreas Moll
Andrew Stevenson
Anton Tadich
Ashley Roberts
Ben Boyd
Bhuvana Kasargod
Binjia Zhang
Bo Chen
Bridget Ingham
Cara Doherty
chengcheng gao
Chris Garvey
Christopher Hall
Clare Smith
Daniele Pelliccia
Dmitry Svergun
Elena Ivanova
Elliot Gilbert
Emma Livingstone
Esho Youkhana
Eugeniu Balaur
Fabio Lisi
Feng Wang
Flavio Capotondi
Francesco Spinozzi
Fulvia Arfelli
Giuliana Tromba
Huazhen Li
Jaimys Arnott
James MIchael
James Pearson
Jessica Roberts
Jessica Veliscek-Carolan
Jianhua Guo
Joanne Du
Jonathan Avaro
Kang Liang
Kevin Prince
Lars Thomsen
Lauren Baird
Leonie van 't Hag
liang zhang
Linda Hong
Lisa Vaccari
Ljiljana Puskar
Lou Brillault
Marawan Ahmed
Marco Maria Cerbo
Mark Junker
Mark Tobin
Mark Waddingham
Mauro Zambelli
Mauro Zambelli
Mayanthi Goonewardane
Melissa Moyle
Michael Jones
Mingdeng Luo
Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad
Mohammad Parsa
Narges Mohammadi
Nathan Cowieson
Nicholas Phillips
Nicolas Alcaraz
Nigel Kirby
Oscar Moze
Paolo Falcaro
Patrick Chang
Qudsia Arooj
Raffaele Ricco
RAJIV THAPA
Rebecca Auchettl
Richard Garrett
Roland De Marco
Sanjida Halim Topa
Santosh Panjikar
shabnam Tarahi Tabrizi
Shawkat Islam
Sigrid Bernstorff
Simon James
Song Ha Nguyen
Stephan Burger
Stephen Mudie
Subhojyoti Chatterjee
Suzanne Norwood
Tamsyn Ross
Tang Li
Tao Zhang
Thomas Dorin
Tracey Hanley
Vi Khanh Truong
Wenjuan Yang
Wibawa Hendra Saputera
Xiaolin Li
zhengyang Zhao

Monday, 19 May
- 08:00 → 17:00
  
  School
  
  The purpose of the school is to train students on experimental aspects and analysis techniques, with a focus on X-ray Small Angle Scattering
Tuesday, 20 May
- 08:00 → 08:45
  
  Registration
- 08:45 → 09:00
  
  Welcome and Workshop Opening
  
  Conveners: Prof. James MIchael (Australian Synchrotron), Marco Maria Cerbo (Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne), Dr Mauro Zambelli (KYMA Srl), Prof. Oscar Moze (Embassy of Italy, Canberra)
- 09:00 → 09:20
  
  Opening Address
  
  Mr Cameron Slatyer, Manager International Strategy Section, Manager International Strategy Section, Science, Research and Innovation Division, Department of Industry
  
  Convener: Mr Cameron Clatyer (Department of Industry)
- 09:20 → 11:00
  Session 1: applications of Small Angle Scatting to Nanoscale and Biological Systems
  - 09:20
    
    Complementarity of small-angle x-ray and neutron scattering: solvation effects and quaternary structure of proteins in solution 30m
    
    Small-angle X-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering are complementary techniques that are largely exploited to determine the structure of complex biological macromolecules in solution, such as proteins. Since solution proteins are randomly oriented particles, the scattering signal is purely one-dimensional so that the basic challenge is to develop methods able to extract three-dimensional structures from experimental data. X-rays interact with the electron clouds of each atom, neutrons are scattered by atomic nuclei (with different power for the isotopes of the same element): a wisely chosen combination of SAXS and SANS experiments on the same sample is a strategy to increase the structural information that can be derived from data analysis methods. Two examples of the application of small-angle scattering on protein structure investigation are shown. The first example is a SANS study of the solvation properties of lysozyme dissolved in water/glycerol mixtures (2). To make detectable the characteristics of protein-solvent interface, 35 different experimental conditions (i.e., protein concentration, water/glycerol fraction in the solvent, content of deuterated compounds) have been considered and fitted with a global fit approach. In the second example the new QUAFIT method for determining the quaternary structure of proteins assemblies by analysing SAXS or SANS data is presented (2-3). The method is based on the idea that asymmetric monomers, formed by rigid domains of known atomic structure are assembled according to a point group symmetry combined with a screw axis. In order to avoid any overlap among domains, the “contact distance” between two asymmetric domains is determined as a function of their orientation by a novel algorithm. QUAFIT has been applied to study the structure of hemocyanin from Octopus vulgaris, a high molecular weight protein that shows a particular self-assembling pattern, characterized by a hierarchical organization of monomers. A dataset of SAXS and SANS curves has been recorded under different pH values, buffer compositions, H2O/D2O ratios and Hofmeister's salts. The structures of the decamer and of the dissociated “loose” monomer have been identified by analysing SAS curves in the most and the least aggregative conditions, respectively. Afterwards, all the other curves have been analysed through QUAFIT, by considering heterogeneous mixtures composed of the entire decamer, the dissociated “loose” monomer and all the intermediate dissociation products. 1) R. Sinibaldi, M. G. Ortore, F. Spinozzi, F. Carsughi, H. Frielinghaus, S. Cinelli, G. Onori, and P. Mariani, J. Chem. Phys., 126:235101-235109, 2007. 2) F. Spinozzi and M. Beltramini, Biophys. J., 103:511–521, 2012. 3) F. Spinozzi, P. Mariani, I. Mičetić, C. Ferrero, D. Pontoni, and M. Beltramini, PLOS one, e49644, 2012.
    
    Speaker: Dr Francesco Spinozzi (University of the Le Marche)
  - 09:50
    
    Functionalisation of Self-Assembled Nanomaterials 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Cara Doherty (CSIRO)
  - 10:10
    
    Quokka and food - Small-angle neutron scattering and discovering food structure at the nanoscale 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Elliot Gilbert (ANSTO)
  - 10:30
    
    Synchrotron radiation scattering methods for structural determinations on the nanoscale 30m
    
    Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) is a well-established measurement tool that has been around for about 60 years. But the advent of modern third generation synchrotron radiation sources in the early nineties has opened new possibilities for structural determinations on the nanoscale which were not possible in the past. The high brilliance of maschines like Elettra in Trieste allows for fast time-resolved studies, and permits also the investigation of materials that are very poor scatterers, or are available only in small quantities. The high-flux SAXS-beamline at ELETTRA has been designed specifically for time-resolved diffraction on non-crystalline but partly ordered samples like gels, liquid crystals, (bio)polymers, amorphous materials, muscles, and proteins in solution. At e.g. 8 keV photon energy, the SAXS-resolution ranges from 1 to about 140 nm in d-spacing, and the flux on the sample is up to 5x1012 photons/s. Simultaneously wide-angle diffraction measurements in the angular range of up to about 80o can be performed. As an additional pre-requisite for time-resolved studies, various techniques and instruments have been developed and implemented at the SAXS beamline to trigger transitions in samples with time resolutions down to the (sub-)ms regime. Possible parameters include temperature, pressure, shear, mechanical stresses and chemical mixing. But the high brilliance is also advantageous in "static" SAXS experiments like scanning micro-spot applications (to study samples with high local spatial resolution down to 20 micron), or grazing incidence techniques like GISAXS, GIXRD and Reflectivity (to determine the structure of near-surface layers). An overview of recent technical developments and experimental results obtained at the SAXS-beamline will be given for several representative sample systems.
    
    Speaker: Dr Sigrid Bernstorff (Elettra, Trieste)
- 11:00 → 11:30
  
  Morning Tea 30m
- 11:30 → 13:00
  Session 2: Soft X-ray Spectroscopy
  - 11:30
    
    Life Science Applications of the TwinMic soft X-ray spectromicroscopy beamline at Elettra 30m
    
    The analysis of biological matrices at subcellular level necessitates the use of multidisciplinary techniques and expertise. Soft X-ray Microscopy coupled with spectroscopy can provide insightful simultaneous morphological and chemical information that help in the understanding of biochemical processes taking place at sub-micron scales. In the last few years the TwinMic soft X-ray microscopy station [1] (400-2200 eV) installed at the Elettra synchrotron has been attracting the interests of the Life Science community thanks to its complementary imaging capabilities (brightfield and phase contrast) combined with low energy X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Indeed the developed low energy XRF system [2] enables to correlate the specimen morphology with the elemental distribution of light elements (from B till P) and of transition metals for which the characteristic emission lines fall in the 180-2100 eV energy range. The most recent outcomes in research fields such as neuroscience-neurodisease [3], nanotoxicology [4,5,6], clinical medicine [7,8] and food science [9] will be shown through selected results. The implementation of novel TwinMic imaging modes is in progress and has been recently demonstrated by ptychography with randomly phased illumination acquiring scans across the L absorption edge of iron on fibroblast cells exposed to cobalt ferrite nanoparticles [10] and with Phase-diverse Fresnel coherent diffractive imaging of malaria parasite-infected red blood cells [11]. References [1] B. Kaulich et al. Proc. 8th Int. Conf. X-ray Microscopy IPAP Conf. Series, 7, 22 (2006). [2] A. Gianoncelli et al.  Nuclear Instruments and Method A, 608(1), 195 (2009). [3] C. Poitry-Yamate et al.  Journal of Neuroscience Research (2012), 91(8), 1050 (2013). [4] P. Marmorato et al.  Toxicology Letters, 207 - 2, 128 (2011). [5] A. Gianoncelli et al. X-ray Spectrometry, 42(4), 316 (2013). [6] D. Drobne et al. Environmental Science & Technology, 47, 5400 (2013). [7] L. Pascolo et al.  Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 7 (2011). [8] L. Pascolo et al.  Scientific Reports, 3 (2013). [9] P. Pongrac et al. Food Research International, 54(1), 125 (2013). [10] A.M. Maiden et al. Nature Communications 4, 1669 (2013). [11] M.W.M. Jones et al. Optics Express, 21-26, 32151 (2013).
    
    Speaker: Dr Alessandra Gianoncelli (Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste)
  - 12:00
    
    Transportation and accumulation of redox active species at the buried interfaces of plasticized membrane electrodes 20m
    
    Speaker: Prof. Roland De Marco (University of the Sunshine Coast)
  - 12:20
    
    Bridging synchrotrons and supercomputers: Recent collaboration studies of bioactive compounds 20m
    
    Speaker: Prof. Feng Wang (Swinburne University of Technology)
  - 12:40
    
    Organic electronics research performed on the soft X-ray spectroscopy branchline at the Australian Synchrotron 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Lars Thomsen (Australian Synchrotron)
- 13:00 → 14:00
  
  Lunch 1h
- 14:00 → 15:30
  Session 3: Soft X-ray Spectroscopy / Optics and Sources
  - 14:00
    
    Surface transfer doping of novel materials measured using soft X-ray photoemission. 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Anton Tadich (Australian Synchrotron)
  - 14:20
    
    Cathode lens microscopy of the graphene-metal interface: from nanoscale chemical imaging to micro-ARPES 30m
    
    The unprecedented scientific interest driven by graphene has recently motivated a large number of experimental studies using cathode lens microscopy. Low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) has been widely employed in these investigations, giving access to the local morphology and crystal structure of few layer graphene on different transition metals (TM) [1]. Energy-filtered photoemission electron microscopes (XPEEM) operating at third generation synchrotron light sources are nowadays able to complement LEEM's structure sensitivity, enabling us to obtain detailed information on the chemical state and electronic structure of both graphene and support while reaching a lateral resolution of only few tens of nm [2]. By implementing laterally resolved versions of the most popular photoelectron spectroscopies, these versatile microscopes offer us a powerful set of analytical surface characterization tools, microprobe angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (μ-ARPES) and low energy electron diffraction (μ-LEED) being the most frequently demanded. Importantly, dark-field PEEM imaging methods have been recently demonstrated, paving the way to laterally-resolved measurements of the local density of states in graphene films that are laterally inhomogeneous [3]. The current state and perspectives of XPEEM and related techniques will be illustrated by reporting recent results on graphene on various TMs. In particular, I will highlight the potential of XPEEM in the study of graphene on supports with non-threefold symmetry such as Ir(100) [4,5]. [1] K.L. Man, M.S. Altman, J. Phys.: Condens. Mater. 24, 314209 (2012). [2] A. Locatelli and E. Bauer, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20, 093002 (2008). [3] T. O. Menteş and A. Locatelli; J. El. Spec. Rel. Phenom. 185, 323 (2012). [4] A. Locatelli, C. Wang, C. Africh, N. Stoji, T.O. Menteş, G. Comelli, N. Binggeli, ACS Nano 7, 6955 (2013). [5] A. Locatelli, G. Zamborlini and T.O. Menteş, to be published in Carbon, 2014.
    
    Speaker: Dr Andrea Locatelli (Elettra , Trieste)
  - 14:50
    
    Characterisation of the IMBL wiggler-based X-ray beam for imaging/ tomography and radiotherapy studies 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Andrew Stevenson (Australian Synchrotron/ CSIRO)
  - 15:10
    
    Low dose multi-modal radiography with a grating interferometer: measuring absorption, phase and scattering maps 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Daniele Pelliccia (Monash University)
- 15:30 → 16:00
  
  Afternoon tea 30m
- 16:00 → 17:30
  Session 4: Applications of Infrared Microscopy to Studies of Biology and the Nanoscale
  - 16:00
    
    Synchrotron sourced infrared applications to biological systems 30m
    
    Speaker: Dr Lisa Vaccari (Elettra , Trieste)
  - 16:30
    
    Synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy – from the micro to the nanoscale 20m
    
    Speaker: Ljiljana Puskar (Australian Synchrotron)
  - 16:50
    
    Natural and bio-inspired antibacterial surfaces 20m
    
    Nature has developed numerous strategies for coping with bacterial infection. One such strategy, employed by insects, involves killing any cells that may attach to their wings by means of complex nanostructures. Cicada dragonfly wings are both covered by an array of nanopillar-type structures that vary in their spatial patterning. In both cases the nanopillars rupture and kill bacterial cells, however dragonfly wings are effective against a wider range of bacterial species. Based on this concept, we tested black silicon (bSi), a plasma-etched material originally developed for photovoltaic applications, and found that bSi possesses similar nanostructures to dragonfly wings, and accordingly produces a similar bactericidal effect. These surfaces represent the first known examples of mechanobiocidal activity; i.e. surfaces that kill cells through mechanical action alone with little or no influence from surface chemistry. Our most recent work has centred on the development of a new generation of mechanobiocidal surfaces, based on the components naturally found in dragonfly wings. Recystallisation of fatty acids on graphite produces ordered microcrystal interfaces which are also able to inactivate bacterial cells. These fatty acid-derived surfaces combine facile synthesis with inexpensive materials, which will be of great benefit in a variety of antibacterial applications.
    
    Speaker: Prof. Elena Ivanova (Swinburne Univeristy of Technology)
  - 17:10
    
    Free electron lasers: the light sources of the future 20m
    
    Extreme ultraviolet and x-ray Free Electron Lasers (FELs) are based on technologies developed for synchrotron light sources, but the light produced has properties which are a unique combination of those of optical laser light (ultrashort pulses, high intensity, coherence), synchrotron light (short wavelength) or both (variable polarization). These properties open new frontiers for research in several fields, particularly coherent imaging, dynamics and high field physics: the last two applications will be illustrated with some recent results and planned experiments at the Low Density Matter end-station [1]. Nano clusters or droplets of helium excited by intense fields show complex ionization dynamics [2], which may be relevant to other nano scale systems to be studied by FELs. Photodynamical processes are important in biological systems, for example in the control of damage to DNA due to ultraviolet light. In the nucleobase adenine, the photodynamics after UV absorption occur on a time scale comparable to or longer than the pulse length of FERMI (50-100 fs) [3], so that pump-probe experiments can reveal details of this important process. FERMI is a unique FEL source because it is seeded and temporally as well as (transverse) spatially coherent, and this promises to inspire new experiments that cannot be performed at other FELs. [1] V. Lyamayev, Y. Ovcharenko, R. Katzy, M. Devetta, L. Bruder, A. LaForge, M. Mudrich, U. Person, F. Stienkemeier, M. Krikunova, T. Möller, P. Piseri, L. Avaldi, M. Coreno, P. O'Keeffe, P. Bolognesi, M. Alagia, A. Kivimäki, M. Di Fraia, N. B. Brauer, M. Drabbels, T. Mazza, S. Stranges, P. Finetti, C. Grazioli, O. Plekan, R. Richter, K. C. Prince, and C. Callegari, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 46 (2013) 164007. [2] Y. Ovcharenko, V. Lyamayev, R. Katzy, M. Devetta, A. LaForge, P. O’Keeffe, O. Plekan, P. Finetti, M. Di Fraia, M. Mudrich, M. Krikunova, P. Piseri, M. Coreno, N. Brauer, M. Drabbels, T. Mazza, S. Stranges, C. Grazioli, R. Richter, K. C. Prince, C. Callegari, F. Stienkemeier, and T. Moeller, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112 (2014) 073401. [3] T. Mazza, M. Ilchen, A. J. Rafipoor, C. Callegari, P. Finetti, O. Plekan, K. C. Prince, R. Richter, M. Danailov, A. Demidovich, G. De Ninno, C. Grazioli, R. Ivanov, N. Mahne, L. Raimondi, C. Svetina, L. Avaldi, P. Bolognesi, M. Coreno, P. O'Keeffe, M. Di Fraia, M. Devetta, Y. Ovcharenko, Th. Möller, V. Lyamayev, F. Stienkemeier, S. Düsterer, K. Ueda, J. T. Costello, A. K. Kazansky, N. M. Kabachnik, M. Meyer, Nature Comm., in press.
    
    Speaker: Dr Kevin Prince (Elettra , Trieste)
- 18:00 → 18:30
  
  Bus Departs
- 18:30 → 22:00
  
  Workshop Dinner
Wednesday, 21 May
- 08:30 → 09:00
  
  Registration
- 09:00 → 10:30
  Session 5: X-ray Diffraction Imaging for Nanoscale and Biological Systems
  - 09:00
    
    Coherent Diffraction Imaging Project at FERMI@Elettra: present status and research opportunities 30m
    
    The high transverse coherence and peak brightness of ultra-short SASE-FEL pulses have already demonstrated the extraordinary potential for coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) in a single shot experiment before the radiation damage of the sample is manifested [1]. The limitations imposed by the partial longitudinal coherence of SASE-FEL for getting selective chemical information using single shot resonant (R-) CDI, should be overcome by the seeded FEL sources, as FERMI@Elettra [2]. This opens unique opportunities for single-shot R-CDI experiments with access to elemental and/or magnetic structure of morphologically complex targets using the energy tunability and multiple (circular or linear) polarization of the fully coherent seeded FEL pulses. The measurement station for CDI, operating at the DiProI beamline of the FERMI@Elettra, is designed to meet the requirements for performing a wide range of static and dynamic studies and has been already commissioned using both synchrotron and FEL radiation [3]. This presentation will report the first CDI measurements illustrating the performance of the measurement station in single-shot CDI and the advent of tunability and multiple polarization of the FERMI pulses in resonant magnetic scattering at Co M-absorption edges. Finally, the unprecedented opportunity offered by FERMI@Elettra source to performe jitter-free pump-probe experiments using both infrared laser and EUV/Soft-Xray pulses will be discussed. In particular recent results of a FEL-based two color pump and probe experiment at the Ti M-edge, showing the XUV optical constant change under high power FEL irradiation will be presented [4]. Figures (See right) Figure. a) The end-station for Coherent Diffraction Imaging installed at the DiProI FERMI@Elettra beamline b) Single shot diffraction pattern of Fermi@Elettra logo taken at 32.5 nm wavelength and its CDI reconstruction (inset). [1] H. N. Chapman et al, Nature Physics 2, 839 - 843 (2006). [2] E.Allaria et. al, Nature Photonics 6, 699-704 (2012). [3] F. Capotondi et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 043711 (2011). [4] E.Allaria et. al, Nature Comm. 4, 2476 (2013).
    
    Speaker: Flavio Capotondi (Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste)
    
    Image
  - 09:30
    
    Ptychographic Fresnel Diffraction Tomography at the Nanoscale 20m
    
    Speaker: Mr Nicholas Phillips (LTU/CXS)
  - 09:50
    
    A soft x-ray branchline and endstation for high resolution imaging of material and biological samples 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Mark Junker (La Trobe University)
  - 10:10
    
    Phase-diverse Fresnel Coherent Diffractive Imaging of Cellular Specimens 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Michael Jones (CXS - La Trobe University)
- 10:30 → 11:00
  
  Morning tea 30m
- 11:00 → 12:40
  Session 6: X-ray Microscopy / SAXS Studies of Nanoscale Systems
  - 11:00
    
    X-ray imaging on different length scales of micro and nanosized markers and structures 30m
    
    Speaker: Prof. Fulvia Arfelli (University of Trieste and INFN)
  - 11:30
    
    Quantification of ZnO nanoparticle uptake, distribution, and dissolution within individual human macrophages 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Simon James (Australian Synchrotron)
  - 11:50
    
    Quantitative mapping of polymyxin in rat and human kidney cells using X-ray fluorescence microscopy 20m
    
    Speaker: Mr Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad (PhD Studnet)
  - 12:10
    
    Synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering from macromolecular solutions and nanoparticles 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Svergun Dmitry (EMBL Hamburg Outstation)
- 12:40 → 13:30
  
  Lunch 50m
- 13:30 → 15:10
  Session 7: Biomedical Imaging / SAXS
  - 13:30
    
    Biomedical imaging at the SYRMEP beamline of Elettra 30m
    
    The SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics (SYRMEP) beamline at the Elettra light source in Trieste has several years of activity in the life sciences. The beamline is equipped with two imaging stations for users’ experiments, with monochromatic and white beam, and a radiological unit for mammographic studies on patients. Phase contrast imaging in Free Propagation (FP) modality and Analyzer Based Imaging (ABI) are the most used imaging techniques. The beamline is well suited for imaging of small animals. For this purpose a protocol, based on FP microtomography (microCT), has been developed for the high resolution functional and morphological imaging of asthmatic mice. New staining procedures have been tested to increase the image contrast and facilitate tissues differentiation. These were applied for imaging of early atherosclerosis plaques formation in ApoE-deficient transgenic mice, mimicking human atherosclerosis, and for other purposes focused to image alterations in the morphology of mice brain. The beamline is also extensively used for imaging engineered tissues and scaffolds, by evaluating their bio-integration in terms of new bone formation and vascularization. For most of the experiments, single distance phase retrieval algorithms are applied to enhance the visibility of the different sample phases prior to the quantitative analysis. To address the increased users’ requests for a quantitative morphological and textural sample characterization, Pore3D, a software package for 3D image processing and analysis, has been developed. In the last years the tool had a widespread application and now is also available for external users. The mammography program with patients is focused on the development of a new protocol for tomography. The implementation of an innovative CdTe detector and the optimization of exam procedure with CT reconstruction algorithm are the main issues of this project. The talk will give an overview of the more recent results, giving a glance to the future development programs and research perspectives.
    
    Speaker: Dr Giuliana Tromba (Elettra, Trieste)
  - 14:00
    
    Biomedical imaging and radiobiology using synchrotron X-ray beams 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Christopher Hall (Australian Synchrotron)
  - 14:20
    
    Synchrotron microangiography progress at the IMBL 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr James Pearson (IMBL / Monash University)
  - 14:40
    
    Nanoscale structural aspects of lipid digestion with relevance to food and lipid based drug delivery elucidated using time resolved SAXS approaches 20m
    
    Speaker: Prof. Ben Boyd (Monash University)
- 15:10 → 15:40
  
  Afternoon Tea 30m
- 15:40 → 17:30
  Session 8: SAXS / Neutron Diffraction Studies of Nanoscale and Biological Systems
  - 15:40
    
    Patterning Protocols for Positioning Nanoporous Materials with Exceptional Surface Area 30m
    
    Speaker: Dr Paolo Falcaro (CSIRO)
  - 16:10
    
    Diffraction methods in soft matter 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Chris Garvey (ANSTO)
  - 16:30
    
    Utilising synchrotron X-ray diffraction to investigate the development of myocardial dysfunction in early diabetes 20m
    
    Speaker: Mr Mark Waddingham (University of Melbourne)
  - 16:50
    
    In situ synchrotron scattering studies of nanoparticle synthesis 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Bridget Ingham (Callaghan Innovation)
  - 17:10
    
    Photoresponsive lipid liquid crystal systems 20m
    
    Speaker: Dr Tracey Hanley (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
- 17:30 → 17:45
  
  Closing Remarks