A beginner's guide to solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)

The Beginner's Guide series covers key techniques and offers the scientifically literate but not necessarily expert audience a background briefing on the underlying science of a technique that is (or will be) widely used in molecular bioscience. The series covers a mixture of techniques, including some that are well established amongst a subset of our readership but not necessarily familiar to those in different specialisms. This Beginner's Guide introduces solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a powerful technique, which is complementary to different bioanalytical and structural methods. With straightforward data collection procedures and minimal restrictions in sample environment, information on size, shape and conformational flexibility of biological macromolecules and complexes in near native solutions can be rapidly obtained. Here, we highlight the recent developments that have advanced SAXS to a versatile tool with the capability to enrich almost any biochemical study.