Electric field induced structural perturbations of microtubules probed using difference SAXS

We aim to observe structural perturbations in microtubules using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) in response to an applied electric field. In earlier studies at the Swiss Light Source we observed very subtle changes in the SAXS scattering pattern when weak electric fields (approximately 9 V amplitude) oscillating at 20 GHz were applied across microtubule slurries. Here we intend to look for larger structural perturbations using much stronger electric fields (up to 400 V amplitudes) oscillating at much lower frequencies (in the kHz to MHz domain). This work is fundamental research that links to ongoing debates concerning putative effects of non-ionizing radiation on biological samples. Whereas this debate can sometimes be polarized by public fears, we feel that high-quality experimental data (including null-results) are the appropriate way for scientists to engage in these questions.