CEDRO BEAMLINE AT SIRIUS: CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTROSCOPY ENHANCED BY THE SYNCHROTRON RADIATION

CEDRO is a beamline at Sirius dedicated to Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy in the ultraviolet region. CD spectroscopy involves the differential absorption of circularly polarized light, distinguishing between left and right polarization, by optically active entities such as chiral materials. It serves as a valuable tool for studying the structure of chiral molecules, including biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids. By utilizing synchrotron radiation instead of conventional lamps, the spectroscopy technique is enhanced and referred to as synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD). This transition offers advantages, including higher intensity and the ability to record CD spectra over an extended energy range. The primary goal of CEDRO is to provide an optimal setup for studying biological materials, particularly those that are challenging to analyze using conventional instruments. Examples include membrane proteins, which are significant drug targets, and intrinsically disordered proteins that have diverse essential functions. The layout and status of the beamline will be presented, as well as the first results and future developments aimed at meeting the varying requirements of different users.