An introduction to neutrons for biology

Laboratoire Léon-Brillouin (LLB), UMR 12 CEA-CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette CEDEX, France

^* Corresponding author: sophie.combet@cea.fr

Published online: 1 July 2020

Abstract

The overlap of biology and neutron scattering remains a relatively narrow domain of research. This is partly due to the a priori maladjustment between real space problems and methods based on spatial and temporal correlations. In addition, some major assets of neutron scattering, such as isotopic substitution, can be tricky with biological molecules. More generally, a mutual lack of knowledge of the two concerned communities precluded potential rich interactions in early times. However, the situation changed to the point that, today, biology represents a substantial part of the research activity at neutron facilities. The purpose of this introduction is not to present one more overview of the subject of “neutron scattering” (excellent comprehensive articles are easily accessible to the interested readers [1–4]), but rather to facilitate the reading of the present book by introducing a few neutron scattering notions that may be useful for the community of biologists eventually less familiar with this technique.