ABSTRACT
Recent progress in X-ray optics, nanoscale focusing, time-resolved X-ray diffraction, and lens-less coherent imaging have paved the way for enhanced X-ray analysis of lipid membranes. In this chapter, we discuss these novel opportunities by different illustrative examples. We start with studies of nonequilibrium membrane dynamics by pump–probe techniques, followed by high-resolution 3D reconstructions of the stalk structure, as an important intermediate structure of membrane fusion. We then discuss X-ray structure analysis of synaptic vesicles and myelinated nerves. Finally, coherent diffractive imaging and tomography are addressed as novel techniques to study lipid assemblies.
