Directory Image
This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

What You Should Know About Protein Crystallization, X-ray Xrystallography and Protein Structure

Author: Joanna Bowie
by Joanna Bowie
Posted: Nov 21, 2017

Protein Crystallization, a process of formation of a protein crystal, is mainly used for scientific and industrial use. The most notable use is for study by X-ray crystallography, which is a scientific technique of determining the position and arrangements of atoms in a crystal.

Protein crystallization

It is over 150 years that protein crystallization has been known. It was discovered in 1934 by John Desmond Bernal and his student Dorothy Hodgkin. The protein crystallization is to produce a well-ordered crystal that is lacking in contaminants. Due to the fragile nature of protein crystals, protein crystallization is difficult. Protein structure has irregularly-shaped surfaces. In addition to the fragility of protein crystals, a majority of environmental factors can also make an influence in the process, such as the protein purity, pH, concentration of protein, temperature and so on. The more homogeneous the protein solution is, the more that it will crystallize. The 97% purity of protein samples is believed suitable for crystallization. There are many methods for protein crystallization:

Vapor diffusion---the most commonly used method for protein crystallization.

Microbatch---involving immersing a very small volume of protein droplets in oil.

Microdialysis---taking advantage of a semi-permeable membrane.

Free-interface diffusion---bringing together protein and precipitation solution without premixing them.

Interfering protein crystallization, the most remarkable thing has to be mentioned is x-ray crystallography.

X-ray crystallography

In protein structure determination, x-ray crystallography has become the most significant and useful tool for protein structure determination. The most important step in x-ray crystallography is the crystallization process. In order to save customers’ money and time, there is an in-house X-ray diffraction platform to offset the disadvantages of each protein with unique physical and chemical properties.

There is some information about protein crystallization and X-ray crystallography. As for protein crystallization, the protein structure determination should also be referred.

Protein structure determination

As we all know, the process of protein structure determination is usually expensive and tedious, so the target macromolecule must be produced large quantities and purified in high concentrations. Therefore, expert expression of bioinformatics and molecular biology is necessary for a successful experiment. However, as technology development, there are many techniques, including X-ray crystallography, NMR, EM and membrane protein screening to facilitate scientists’ projects in structural biology.

About the Author

Structural biology, especially protein structure determination is full of magic.

Rate this Article
Author: Joanna Bowie

Joanna Bowie

Member since: Nov 20, 2017
Published articles: 2

Related Articles