This project investigated how small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS/SAXS) can be used to uncover the structural and functional mechanisms underlying essential biological processes in both bacteria and humans. By combining neutron scattering with molecular dynamics simulations and biophysical modelling, the research provided new understanding of protein–DNA binding, viral protein flexibility, and ubiquitin-mediated enzymatic processes.
The studies demonstrated how scattering techniques made it possible to explore complex biomolecular systems directly in solution, revealing conformational dynamics critical for understanding antibiotic resistance regulation, viral infection pathways, and protein modification mechanisms. The work also introduced methodological developments for contrast-variation SANS experiments, expanding the use of neutron scattering in protein science and drug discovery within the life-science field.