Work by the pharmaceutical company, Genentech, an associate member of NE-CAT, on therapeutic nanobodies was recently featured as a Science Highlight by the APS.

Work by one of our most frequent users, the Polikanov lab at the University of Illinois Chicago on antibiotics that inhibit the bacterial ribosome was featured by the APS as a Science Highlight.

The Fall Shutdown of the APS for Maintenance will begin August 7 and end September 8. During this time, electrical work at the APS will necessitate power shutdowns on Saturdays, August 9, 6am to 6pm and August 23, 6am to 6pm.  Be advised, RAPD2, Remote, Data transfer via sync script or Globus will be unavailable from Friday, August 8 through Monday, August 11.  

NE-CAT is thrilled to welcome Dr. Graeme Winter as our new Associate Director. Coming from Diamond Light Source, where he served as a Principal Scientist and Team Leader, Graeme brings a wealth of experience in synchrotron X-ray sources, crystallographic software development, and automation. During his time at Diamond Light Source, Graeme led key initiatives to improve data processing workflows and enhance beamline efficiency. He holds a Master's in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and a Ph.D.

• Frank Murphy - frankvmurphy@cornell.edu
• Malcolm Capel - mc329@cornell.edu
• Ali Kaya - ali.kaya@cornell.edu

Two of the major milestones in commissioning a beamline have been achieved on 24-ID-E at NE-CAT.  On August 9, 2024, x-rays were delivered by the APS through the Sector 24 front end. Using an ultrasensitive camera focused through a port of the monochromator, APS physicists detected the beam on the monochromator silicon crystals of both 24-ID-C and 24-ID-E. Though the focus was rough, NE-CAT was able to observe the beam.  After the September shutdown, Dr. Malcolm Capel was able to carefully steer the beam through the experimental hutches to the sample position over the next two months.

Read the story at WGN or watch to find one of the NE-CAT staff members.

The Advanced Photon Source has begun commissioning the new storage ring and as of Thursday, April 12, there is beam in the first few meters of the storage ring. To see the most recent updates by the Advanced Photon Source, check out the Upgrade website.

Last Fall, the APS offered staff and resident users the ability to tour the synchrotron storage ring while it was being assembled.  In October, the magnets for Sector 24 were in place and proof is in the picture of Kay Perry standing in front of them during the tour.  Behind her, the yellow curtain marks Sector 23 components which were undergoing bake out to remove everything which could interfere with vaccuum.  Prior to Laboratory closure for the holidays, the front ends were slotted into the place and the last (of the 200) modules were been installed.