HZB and Freie Universität Berlin establish the joint research group “X-Ray Microscopy” for studying complex cellular processes
In May this year, the joint research group “X-Ray Microscopy” was launched, combining the expertise of teams led by Prof. Dr. Gerd Schneider (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin) and Prof. Dr. Helge Ewers (Freie Universität Berlin). While Ewers’ group contributes its experience in the field of optical microscopy and biological research, the HZB workgroup is responsible for X-ray microscopy at the synchrotron source BESSY II. The two methods help researchers to gain a detailed insight into the processes taking place inside cells.
We are very pleased about the new cooperation with Prof. Ewers’ workgroup. It gives our own activities in this field a much stronger connection to the biological research being done at the university,” says Prof. Dr. Gerd Schneider. The core duties of his department at HZB include making advancements to the x-ray microscopes and lenses at the synchrotron source BESSY II. The active exchange between the new cooperation partners will give a new boost to method development, says Schneider. Prof. Dr. Helge Ewers is also excited about the future-oriented cooperation: “X-ray microscopy opens up entirely new possibilities for us in the research of intracellular processes.”
The joint research group is all about the complementary use of optical and X-ray microscopy. Optical microscopy and super-resolution methods are excellent for locating proteins marked with dye molecules in tissue samples. X-ray microscopy, in turn, allows correlative imaging of the distribution of proteins, viruses or nanoparticles over a relatively large section in high-resolution and three-dimensions. The two microscopy methods thus deliver a comprehensive picture of the intracellular structures and processes.
After a successful upgrade, the X-ray microscope TXM at the synchrotron source BESSY II is now available again to users. Aside from biological studies, which can now be conducted with the combined expertise in the joint research group, the X-ray microscope is used above all for exploring various questions of materials and energy research.
- Alternating currents for alternative computing with magnetsA new study conducted at the University of Vienna, the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, and the Helmholtz Centers in Berlin and Dresden takes an important step in the challenge to miniaturize computing devices and to make them more energy-efficient. The work published in the renowned scientific journal Science Advances opens up new possibilities for creating reprogrammable magnonic circuits by exciting spin waves by alternating currents and redirecting these waves on demand. The experiments were carried out at the Maxymus beamline at BESSY II.
- BESSY II: Heterostructures for SpintronicsSpintronic devices work with spin textures caused by quantum-physical interactions. A Spanish-German collaboration has now studied graphene-cobalt-iridium heterostructures at BESSY II. The results show how two desired quantum-physical effects reinforce each other in these heterostructures. This could lead to new spintronic devices based on these materials.
- Green hydrogen: MXenes shows talent as catalyst for oxygen evolutionThe MXene class of materials has many talents. An international team led by HZB chemist Michelle Browne has now demonstrated that MXenes, properly functionalised, are excellent catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in electrolytic water splitting. They are more stable and efficient than the best metal oxide catalysts currently available. The team is now extensively characterising these MXene catalysts for water splitting at the Berlin X-ray source BESSY II and Soleil Synchrotron in France.