Synchrotron-based multi-scale biological imaging inside biocontainment environments

Cardoso, M.B.; Rabelo, R.S.; Polo, C.C.; Sanfelici, L.; Geraldes, R.R.; Moreno, G.B.Z.L.; Ramos, H.P.P.; dos Santos, G.R.; Pinto, A.C.; Lordano Luiz, S.A.; Westfahl, H.

doi:10.1107/S1600577526007083

Figure 6
Schematic representation (section view for visibility) of the through-wall architecture implemented in the Orion beamlines for handling high-risk biological samples. The diagram illustrates the physical separation between the BSL-4 environment (orange) and the BSL-2 beamline area (blue), with synchrotron radiation propagating from the beamline into the biocontainment region. Samples are prepared, encapsulated and mounted entirely within the BSL-4 laboratory and introduced into the beamline through a sealed docking and transfer system integrated into the containment wall. This interface ensures that the only element crossing the boundary is the confined sample holder, while all beamline optics, detectors and motion systems remain outside the high-containment area. Downstream of the sample, the transmitted beam is collected in a detector tunnel located in the BSL-2 zone, thereby preventing exposure during decontamination procedures. The architecture minimizes the bioactive volume within the beamline and enables direct coupling between high-containment laboratories and synchrotron instrumentation without compromising biosafety or imaging performance.

JOURNAL OF
SYNCHROTRON
RADIATION

ISSN: 1600-5775

Volume 33| Part 5| September 2026|

https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577526007083

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