Editing Diamond Light Source (section)

==Case studies==
* In September 2007, scientists from [[Cardiff University]] led by Tim Wess, found that the Diamond synchrotron could be used to see hidden content of ancient documents by [[Lighting|illumination]] without opening them (penetrating layers of [[parchment]]).<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6991893.stm |title = 'Super-scope' to see hidden texts|date = 2007-09-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Beamlines/small-angle/Case-Studies/casestudy3.html |title=Diamond: Unravelling the secrets of ancient parchments |access-date=2011-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808154341/http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Beamlines/small-angle/Case-Studies/casestudy3.html |archive-date=2011-08-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In November 2010 data collected at Diamond by [[Imperial College London]] formed the basis for a paper in the journal [[Nature (journal)|Nature]] advancing the understanding of how HIV and other retroviruses infect human and animal cells.<ref>[http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Media/LatestNews/10_11_10.html Diamond News: X-rays illuminate the mechanism used by HIV to attack human DNA]</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1038/nature09517| pmid=21068843| pmc=2999894| title=The mechanism of retroviral integration from X-ray structures of its key intermediates| journal=Nature| volume=468| issue=7321| pages=326–329| year=2010| last1=Maertens| first1=Goedele N.| last2=Hare| first2=Stephen| last3=Cherepanov| first3=Peter| bibcode=2010Natur.468..326M}}</ref> The findings may enable improvements in gene therapy to correct gene malfunctions.
* In June 2011 data from Diamond led to an article in the journal Nature detailing the 3D structure of the human [[Histamine H1 receptor]] protein. This led to the development of 'third generation' [[Antihistamine|anti-histamines]], drugs effective against some allergies without adverse side-effects.<ref>[http://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Media/LatestNews/22_06_11.html Diamond News: Histamine H1 receptor breakthrough heralds improved allergy treatments]</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1038/nature10236 | pmid=21697825 | volume=475 | issue=7354 | title=Structure of the human histamine H1 receptor complex with doxepin | year=2011 | journal=Nature | pages=65–70 | last1 = Shimamura | first1 = Tatsuro| pmc=3131495 }}</ref>
* In December 2017, UK established the Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology (START) with a £3.7 million funded by the [[UK Research and Innovation]] for 3 years. START aimed to provide access to African researchers with focus on energy materials and structural biology. The step is circuital for the inception of the first [[The African Light Source|African Light Source]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=GCRF - START: Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology |url=https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FR002754%2F1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nicklin |first1=Chris |last2=Stredwick |first2=Rebekka |last3=Sewell |first3=Trevor |date=2022-01-02 |title=Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology: A Step-Change in Structural Biology and Energy Materials |journal=Synchrotron Radiation News |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=14–19 |bibcode=2022SRNew..35a..14N |doi=10.1080/08940886.2022.2043684 |issn=0894-0886 |s2cid=247431515|doi-access=free }}</ref>
*Published in the [https://www.pnas.org/content/115/19/E4350 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences] in April 2018, a five institution collaboration including scientists from Diamond used three of Diamond's macromolecular beamlines to discover details of how a bacterium used plastic as an energy source. High resolution data allowed the researchers to determine the workings of an enzyme that degraded the plastic [[Polyethylene terephthalate|PET]]. Subsequently computational modelling was carried out to investigate and thus improve this mechanism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/News/LatestNews/2018/16-04-2018.html|title=Solution to plastic pollution on the horizon - Diamond Light Source|last=Diamond Light Source|website=www.diamond.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>
*An article published in [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-019-0334-3 Nature] in 2019 described how a worldwide multidisciplinary collaboration designed several ways to control metal nano-particles, including synthesis at a substantially reduced cost for use as catalysts for the production of everyday goods.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/News/LatestNews/2019/30-09-2019.html|title=Worldwide scientific collaboration develops catalysis breakthrough - Diamond Light Source|website=www.diamond.ac.uk|access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref>
* Research conducted at Diamond Light Source in 2020 helped determine the atomic structure of [[severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|SARS‑CoV‑2]], the virus responsible for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cerncourier.com/a/synchrotrons-on-the-coronavirus-frontline/|title=''Synchrotrons on the coronavirus frontline''|date=2020|access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref>
* In 2023, Diamond Light Source scanned the [[Herculaneum papyri]] including scroll [[PHerc. Paris. 4]] to facilitate non-invasive decipherment through [[machine learning]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Laura Geggel |date=2024-02-07 |title=Scroll charred in Mount Vesuvius eruption partially deciphered, earning researchers $700,000 prize |url=https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/scroll-charred-in-mount-vesuvius-eruption-partially-deciphered-earning-researchers-dollar700000-prize |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=livescience.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Insects study ===
Using X-ray beamlines, researchers examine insect specimens from the [[Natural History Museum, London|London Natural History Museum]]'s collection, which contains millions of uncatalogued insects. The synchrotron’s imaging technology provides detailed views of anatomical features, such as wing structures and mandibles, revealing evolutionary adaptations and ecological roles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Michael |date=2025-05-03 |title=Inside the Large Hadron Collider for smashing bugs |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ccbbcb4a-992f-426b-ae63-97f2770b1655 |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=Financial Times}}</ref>

Studies investigated the documented decline in insect populations, with research indicating a 45% reduction over four decades, attributed to factors like [[Habitat destruction|habitat loss]], [[pesticide]]s and [[climate change]]. By analyzing both fossilized and modern specimens, researchers explored how insects responded to past environmental changes, providing data relevant to current biodiversity challenges. The synchrotron’s ability to process large 3D image datasets facilitates the identification of uncatalogued specimens and supports studies on species critical to pollination and food chains.<ref name=":0" />

Research also examined insect responses to contemporary issues, such as microplastic accumulation and geographic shifts due to climate change. For example, comparisons of historical and modern butterfly specimens help track range changes in the UK. These studies contribute to understanding insect evolution and ecology, offering insights into conservation and the broader impacts of environmental change on ecosystems.<ref name=":0" />