Molecular Structure and Dynamics Group

DNA double helix, protein strands and molecules

Welcome to the Molecular Structure and Dynamics (MSD) Facility section.

The MSD Facility houses the ULTRA advanced time-resolved spectroscopy and the Optical and Raman Tweezers facilities working closely alongside the Functional Biosystems Imaging (FBI)to determine the structure and function of chemical and biological samples.

ULTRA combines laser, detector and sample manipulation technology to provide molecular dynamics (on the femtosecond to microsecond timescales) to address scientific problems in the physical and life sciences. A range of ultrafast light sources give unprecedented flexibility to combine multiple beams, multiple colours (UV – mid-IR), mixed timing patterns (fs-µs) and pulse length (20 fs, 50 fs, 120 fs, 2-3 ps, 0.8 ns, 6 ns and CW).

Operations within the MSD and FBI are supported by the Optical and Raman Tweezers Facility that provides the unique ability to manipulate microscopic particles dispersed in a liquid medium and to measure small forces on those particles in a non-intrusive and non-destructive manner.

A comprehensive range of diagnostic instrumentation and techniques are available.