Small-angle scattering studies of macromolecular solutions

In recent years, major progress has been achieved in developing novel approaches to interpret small-angle scattering data from solutions of biological macromolecules in terms of three-dimensional models. These advanced methods include: ab initio low-resolution shape and domain structure determination; modelling of quaternary structure by rigid-body refinement; simultaneous analysis of multiple scattering patterns, e. g. from contrast variation in neutron scattering to study multicomponent complexes; validation of high-resolution models; and addition of missing loops and domains. The new techniques will be presented and practical applications of the methods are illustrated by recent examples. The use of additional information from other methods, joint applications of X-ray and neutron scattering, and the possibilities for assessing and validating the models constructed based on small-angle scattering data will be discussed.