Diamond Light Excursion
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s 3rd generation synchrotron source. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across the full range of scientific disciplines. Diamond also houses the electron bioimaging centre (eBIC), the UK’s national cryo-electron microscopy facility, which provides state-of-the art cryo-EM facilities free at the point of access to academic users.
Diamond has recently received approval for funding for a major upgrade from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology together with Wellcome, one of the world’s largest biomedical charities, at a total project cost of £519.4M. The investment in Diamond II (Diamond-II – Diamond Light Source) will see 86% come from the UK Government and 14% from Wellcome, the same proportion that has funded Diamond from its inception. The upgrade brings many new opportunities and should be of particular interest to plant biologists with new capabilities afforded in e.g. X-ray imaging of biological specimens which will enable high sample throughput and nanoresolution imaging of large sample volumes. During the visit you will have the opportunity to tour existing facilities at Diamond and eBIC and learn more about Diamond II and the opportunities it will offer for researchers working in plant and microbial sciences.
Registration includes return coach travel from Oxford, refreshments and lunch. Places are limited. Departure from Oxford will be around 9 am and the coach will return to central Oxford around 5 pm.
