Advanced solution scattering data analysis methods and their applications

A method for ab initio low-resolution shape and internal structure retrieval from contrast variation solution scattering data is described. The method uses a multiphase model of a particle build from densely packed dummy atoms and employs simulated annealing to find a compact interconnected configuration of phases that fits the available experimental data. In the particular case of a single phase particle (shape determination) the method is compared to another ab initio method using low resolution envelope functions. Examples of the shape determination of several proteins from experimental X-ray scattering data are presented.