First use of polarised QENS to study the internal dynamics of protein networks
11 Mar 2026 - Rosie de Laune
Dr Matt Hughes, research fellow and member of Professor Lorna Dougan’s research group at the University of Leeds, has been at ISIS to use polarised neutron scattering on the LET beamline to study the dynamics of proteins within hierarchical protein networks.
Matt’s research focuses on protein networks, and how they behave across length scales. This includes the full range of network formation from their behaviour as individual molecules, to how they assembly into networks, and then their dynamics within these networks. These protein networks include biological examples such as blood clots.
Like the fibres in a spider’s web, the proteins in a network vibrate. Depending on the morphology and connections within the web, the fibres will be pulled differently causing their vibrations to change. Like if a web is pulled taught, the vibrations have a wider ranging effect than if the web is slack.
In this experiment, Matt aims to study directly the effect of network formation on the building block protein dynamics using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) with polarised neutrons. This will be the first direct experimental measure of the protein’s dynamics within a protein network.
Using polarisation is crucial, as the network is 95% deuterated water, so they need to be able to distinguish the contributions of the protein movements from those of the water. Inside the gel, there is likely to be confined water, which is hard to separate from the protein behaviour, making polarisation even more important.
ISIS is the ideal place to conduct this research as the LET instrument measures dynamical properties of atoms within the proteins structure while they act as building blocks constructing the protein network.
Dr Matt Hughes, University of Leeds
The demand for polarised neutrons is growing at ISIS, with the technique offering a unique insight into biological systems.
“ISIS is the ideal place to conduct this research as the LET instrument measures dynamical properties of atoms within the proteins structure while they act as building blocks constructing the protein network, “explains Matt.
“Quasielastic neutron scattering provides an understanding of the microscopic origin of material properties, including for protein-based biomaterials. This experiment has been a great opportunity to development my independence as a researcher and to develop new collaborations with Dr Mona Sarter and other ISIS facility scientists,” he adds. “This will support my goal to exploit biophysical tools to understand biomolecular network dynamics, assembly and disassembly in living systems and provide new routes to develop novel sustainable biomaterials.”
The research is supported through the European Research Council Consolidator Fellowship/UKRI Frontier Research Fellowship for the MESONET project, UKRI EP/X023524/1 to L. Dougan.
