The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is partnering with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls to apply cutting edge neutron and X-ray scattering methods to investigate the structure of cell walls and key components, in particular cellulose and how other polymers interact with cellulose.
The small angle neutron scattering facility at ANSTO is the most advanced in the Southern Hemisphere and will be used in collaboration with other structural analyses carried out by the Centre to develop a detailed understanding of how the various components of the plant cell wall come together and give rise to the diverse properties of cell walls.
Neutron and X-ray scattering provide unique information on how molecules are arranged in space relative to each other, and provide the scientific bridge between studies of the chemistry of walls, which tells us what is present and microscopy which gives us snapshots of individual wall structures. With this new source of information, we hope to be able to more precisely define the architecture and interactions within walls, two features that are crucial for a better understanding of the structure and function of cell walls in both Nature and technological applications.