Structure function and dynamics of biological macromolecules operate across a wide range of time and length scales that are well matched to the fundamental characteristics of neutron scattering. The need to understand these systems at the atomic, molecular and cellular level now demands an integrated suite of cutting-edge instruments that will enable new opportunities to be exploited across the life sciences.

Current source limitations have restricted studies to simple and/or model systems. In the future the need for more detailed information will be enforced as the studies will proceed from the investigation of single biomolecules to complex biomolecular machines (large chaperones, multi-subunit protease complexes, and eventually to proteins in vivo) where interactions in protein-lipid, protein-RNA/DNA, glyco-lipid complexes will have to be understood.