Intuitive web app makes complex X-rays easy
Determining the shape and dynamics of proteins is fundamental to understanding life at a molecular level, but the techniques required to do so have traditionally been complex and accessible only to specialists. Biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) is a versatile method that allows scientists to study how biomolecules change structure and interact by firing X-rays at samples in various states, from liquids to gels. However, operating the sophisticated machinery required for these experiments often demands deep technical expertise. Addressing this barrier, the EU-funded ARISE(opens in new window) project – a fellowship programme training future leaders in research infrastructure – has played a pivotal role in developing the BioSAXS Customized Beamline Environment (BSxCuBE-Web). This new open-source web interface is now operational at the BM29 beamline jointly operated by ARISE coordinator European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Germany, and partner organisation European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), France. It simplifies and automates the experimental process, making high-end structural biology accessible to a broader community.
Bridging hardware complexity with user simplicity
The development of BSxCuBE-Web was driven by the need to harness the capabilities of the ESRF’s upgraded fourth-generation synchrotron without overwhelming users with technical complexity. The system replaces legacy software with a modern, layered architecture that decouples hardware control from the user interface. This means scientists can design experiments, queue samples for automated high-throughput screening and monitor data collection in real time through a standard web browser, regardless of their coding skills. The interface visually mirrors the physical layout of the robotic sample changers, allowing users to intuitively set up batches of samples. Crucially, the system includes robust error-handling mechanisms. If a beam is lost or a sample fails, the queue automatically pauses or skips the issue, ensuring unattended experiments can run safely over long periods. Jean Baptiste Florial, the full-stack software engineer who led the project, emphasises the difficulty of the task in an EMBL news item(opens in new window): “The main challenge was bridging complex beamline hardware with a simple and reliable web interface. That involves making sure everything stays synchronised in real time while keeping the system stable. We also had to deal with performance and scalability, especially since we’re handling large data streams directly in the browser.”
Empowering the next generation of research leaders
The ARISE fellowship programme was instrumental in testing and refining the software, providing a real-world testing environment for fellows to apply their interdisciplinary skills. Anton Popov and Dihia Moussaoui, two ARISE fellows at EMBL Grenoble, collaborated closely with the engineering team. Popov’s work on microfluidic devices and tools allows users to conduct different types of mixing experiments and time-resolved studies. Moussaoui’s development of X-ray footprinting coupled with mass spectrometry has the potential to complement BioSAXS and other methods in structural biology. Commenting on how the collaboration between ARISE (Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists) fellows and engineers shaped the project, Florial states: “It’s always good to collaborate with scientists to really understand what they need. We wanted to build a general application framework useful for scientists and for other synchrotrons doing BioSAXS experiments. The feedback is that BSxCuBE-Web is user-friendly, so I think we have reached our objective!” For more information, please see: ARISE project web page(opens in new window)
