ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Belt and Braces: Cryoprotection and Osmoprotection in Zwitterionic Osmolyte Solutions
Abstract: Cytosol, the liquid compartmentalised by the cell membrane, contains a mixture of salts and organic molecules or ?osmolytes?, of which many are zwitterionic. Cytosol composition can be regulated to protect against both salt stress and cold stress through the use of osmoprotecting and cryoprotecting agents ? where many zwitterionic osmolytes fulfil both functions. Recently, we investigated the osmoprotecting-effect of the archetypal zwitterionic osmolyte trimethylglycine at room temperature, revealing ordered aggregate formation that was strongly influenced by salt species. Here we will study the cryoprotecting effect of model cytosol solutions by using neutron scattering. By cooling mixtures of trimethylglycine and sodium chloride, we aim to disentangle the osmoprotectant- and cryoprotectant- effect on water structure, ion coordination and aggregation. Previously the impact of cryo- and osmo- protection have largely been considered separately, but the two are inextricably linked: in many cases low (sub-zero) temperatures are accessed through high salt concentration such as in salt lakes, by depression of the freezing point. These results will have significant impact on our understanding of the role of zwitterionic osmolytes in maintaining protein structure and function in the most extreme environments life can survive in.
Principal Investigator: Dr James Hallett
Experimenter: Mr Abdul Basith
Experimenter: Dr Oliver Alderman
Local Contact: Dr Terri-Louise Hughes
Experimenter: Dr Kieran Agg
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520167
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2520167
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520167-1 | SANDALS | 21 February 2029 | Download |
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Dr James Hallett et al; (2026): Belt and Braces: Cryoprotection and Osmoprotection in Zwitterionic Osmolyte Solutions, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2520167
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
