X-ray diffraction (XRD) has become the most popular method for determining the structure of proteins, polysaccharides, and other macromolecules. CD BioGlyco is committed to providing clients with professional XRD analysis services to characterize Carbohydrate-based Biodegradable Materials. Our experienced scientists work closely with our clients to ensure fast turnaround and reliable results.

XRD Analysis

More and more studies have shown that the activity of polysaccharides is more closely related to the secondary and even tertiary structures, and therefore the study of the stereo-configuration of polysaccharides is more helpful in elucidating the conformational relationships of polysaccharides. Although there are various methods to study the stereo-configuration of polysaccharides, such as electron diffraction, spinodal determination, and nuclear magnetic resonance, XRD combined with computer simulation has become the most powerful tool for determining the stereo-configuration of polysaccharides and polysaccharide-based biomaterials.

XDR is a research tool to obtain information on the composition of materials and the structure or morphology of the atoms or molecules within materials by analyzing the diffraction pattern of the material by X-ray diffraction. It is the main method for studying the physical phase and crystal structure of a material, with the advantages of no damage to the sample, no contamination, rapidity, high measurement accuracy, and a large amount of information about crystal integrity. As a result, XRD analysis has become a modern scientific method for the structural and compositional analysis of materials and is gradually being used in the field of glycobiology.

Fig.1 A schematic of an XRD instrument. (Kumar, et al., 2014)

XRD Analysis of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials at CD BioGlyco

CD BioGlyco focuses on XRD technology to help clients solve analytical problems related to the chemical composition and crystal structure of materials. We offer our clients a one-stop service from sample collection and preparation to data collection and processing for the Characterization of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials. Our researchers use XRD to help clients analyze a wide range of polysaccharide-based biomaterials, from powders to solids, thin films, and nanomaterials. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Identification of crystalline phases and orientation
• Determination of structural properties including lattice parameters, grain size, residual stresses, phase composition, epitaxy, and preferred orientation.
• Characterization of polysaccharide-based thin film samples
  • Determination of lattice mismatch between film and substrate and assessing stress and strain
  • Determination of the dislocation density and quality of thin films
  • Determination of the roughness, thickness, and density of films.
  • Measurement of superlattices in multilayer epitaxial structures
• Determination of atomic arrangement in materials

Fig.2 XRD analysis process. (CD BioGlyco)

XRD Data Collection

Our researchers have extensive experience in collecting X-ray data from macromolecular crystals. We provide our clients with various phase-determination methods to collect multiple datasets.

• Molecular replacement (MR)
• Multiple isomorphous replacements (MIR)
• Single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD)
• Multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD)

Our Technologies

We also offer our clients multiple methods that study polysaccharide-based materials using a wide range of X-ray scattering methods, including:

• Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)
• Grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS)
• Total scattering analysis/ Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis
• X-ray reflectometry (XRR)

With state-of-the-art equipment and skilled technicians, CD BioGlyco is well-positioned to offer you professional Physical Characterization of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials. Our XRD analysis service comes with well-defined methods and tools but offers a great deal of flexibility depending on your requirements.

If you are interested in our XRD analysis, please feel free to contact us for more details.