Science of life

Tiny microbes and molecular machines have an outsized impact on human health, and they play key roles in the vast global cycles that shape climate and make carbon and nitrogen available to all living things. SLAC biology advances our understanding in all these areas.

At LCLS, crystallized ribosomes travel through a capillary into the interaction region, where they are zapped with a beam of X-rays.

Bioimaging

SLAC has a unique set of tools for looking at viruses, microbes, cells and the tiny machines inside the cell that perform all of life’s functions. This research gives scientists a better understanding of how living things work, what makes us sick and how we can prevent and treat disease.

Bioimaging news

SLAC is a leader in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and tomography (cryo-ET), which make images of cells, molecular machines, viruses and other tiny things in 3D and, at times, in atomic detail.

The Stanford-SLAC cryo-EM facility gives scientists unprecedented views of the inner workings of the cell and of technologies like batteries and solar cells.

Deciphering life’s structures

Our X-ray light sources are at the forefront of research to determine the molecular structure of proteins and other macromolecules, which are the building blocks of life; discover how they interact with disease-causing viruses and life-saving therapeutics; and reveal their role in the natural world.

The tools we develop allow us to examine life’s molecules in ever-increasing detail and from many angles, so we can see how they function in the natural world and in the human body.

This illustration shows arrestin, an important type of signaling protein

LCLS allows scientists to determine the structures of important molecules that were out of reach before, including molecules that catalyze chemical reactions in living things and control what can enter a cell.

Illustration shows details in the pocket structures of AT2 (left) and AT1 (right).

Fighting COVID-19

SLAC research is helping to reveal how the SARS-CoV-2 virus breaks into cells, how vulnerable tissues respond and how to prevent or treat infection.

SLAC is uniquely equipped to study viruses like SARS-CoV-2; in fact, we’ve been doing it for decades. This news collection gathers the latest information on COVID-19 research at SLAC.

A photo-collage featuring a technician at SLAC's cryo-EM facilities.

The NVBL brings all 17 Department of Energy national labs together to focus their bioscience and biotechnology expertise on the fight against COVID-19, and serves as a new front door for scientists in the broader community who want to work with the labs.

The NVBL brings all 17 Department of Energy national labs together to focus their expertise on the fight against COVID-19.

Dig deeper

Latest news in science of life

News Brief

SLAC’s SSRL helps pin down key players in the microbial production of methylmercury, a poison that can accumulate in fish.

News Feature

An associate scientist at SSRL, Richardson studies plant growth to find ways to enhance nutrient uptake in plants, especially in challenging conditions – such...

News Feature

For nearly 50 years, Hodgson has illuminated the synchrotron radiation community through his pioneering research, innovations, leadership, advocacy and mentorship at the Stanford Synchrotron...

News Brief

SLAC’s SSRL helps pin down key players in the microbial production of methylmercury, a poison that can accumulate in fish.

News Feature

An associate scientist at SSRL, Richardson studies plant growth to find ways to enhance nutrient uptake in plants, especially in challenging conditions – such...

News Feature

For nearly 50 years, Hodgson has illuminated the synchrotron radiation community through his pioneering research, innovations, leadership, advocacy and mentorship at the Stanford Synchrotron...

Press Release

The high-energy upgrade will keep the U.S. at the forefront of X-ray science and technology, allowing researchers to advance fields such as sustainability, human...

News Brief

Wheat and other sources of gluten can spell trouble for people with the disease, but new findings could aid the development of first-ever drugs...

News Brief

The results could lead to a better understanding of reactions with vital roles in chemistry and biology.

Who we are

SLAC science explained

Vera C. Rubin Observatory LSST

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Expecting the Unexpected with AI at Particle Colliders

Table of Contents

Bioimaging

Super-cold snapshots

Deciphering life’s structures

Structural Molecular Biology (SMB)

Biology at the Linac Coherent Light Source

Fighting COVID-19

COVID-19

National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory (NVBL)

Latest news in science of life

How microbes create the most toxic form of mercury

Spotlight on sustainability research: Jocelyn Richardson on supporting ecosystem health

SLAC’s Keith O. Hodgson wins 2024 Farrel W. Lytle Award

How microbes create the most toxic form of mercury

Spotlight on sustainability research: Jocelyn Richardson on supporting ecosystem health

SLAC’s Keith O. Hodgson wins 2024 Farrel W. Lytle Award

New upgrade will supercharge atomic vision of the world’s most powerful X-ray laser

SLAC and Stanford researchers advance understanding of a key celiac enzyme

Scientists watch gas-phase ions form and transform in real time