The study of biological structures by neutron scattering from solution

Abstract

Neutron small-angle scattering provides a new tool for investigation of the structure of biological particles. The method is derived from X-ray small-angle scattering. The very large difference between the scattering amplitude of neutrons by hydrogen and deuterium gives the basis of this method, which is explained with reference to the X-ray technique, as both methods have a complementary aspect. Experimental results so far obtained are reviewed, with an emphasis on biological structures composed of two kinds of molecules, such as ribosomes, nucleosomes and viruses.