International collaboration obtains the first scientific results from European XFEL

Artistic presentation of the experiment: When the ultra-bright X-ray flashes (violet) the enzyme crystals in the water jet (blue) can be reconstructed from this fluoroscopy the three-dimensional form of the enzyme (right). Image: DESY / Lucid Berlin

An international collaboration, consisting of over 120 researchers, has announced the results of the first scientific experiments at Europe’s new X-ray free-electron laser, called the European XFEL. This first study reveals a previously unknown structure of an enzyme, responsible for antibiotics resistance. “The ground-breaking work of the first team to use the European XFEL has paved the way for all users of the facility who greatly benefit from these pioneering experiments,” emphasises European XFEL managing director Robert Feidenhans’l. “We are very pleased – these first results show that the facility is ready to deliver new scientific breakthroughs.” The scientists present their results, including the first new protein structure solved at the European XFEL, in the journal Nature Communications.
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