Microcrystal diffraction techniques

Protein microcrystal diffraction and the effects of radiation damage with ultra-high-flux synchrotron radiation.

By using ultra-high-flux synchrotron x-radiation from a wiggler source, good Laue diffraction data have been obtained from protein microcrystals of size 30 X 35 X 10 microns3, mounted wet in glass capillaries. At the flux level of 10(13)-10(14) photons per sec/mm2, the radiation damage is still low enough to allow a large survey of reciprocal space for a microcrystal and a complete survey for a...

Three-Dimensional Magnetically-Oriented Microcrystal Array: A Large Sample for Neutron Diffraction Analysis

Microcrystal manipulation with laser tweezers

X-ray crystallography is the method of choice to deduce atomic resolution structural information from macromolecules. In recent years, significant investments in structural genomics initiatives have been undertaken to automate all steps in X-ray crystallography from protein expression to structure solution. Robotic systems are widely used to prepare crystallization screens and change samples on...

Multiple microcrystal deposition within a family.

A family is described in which four members in three generations showed evidence of crystal deposition disease: two developed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition, one calcific periarthritis, and one mixed crystal deposition disease (gout + chondrocalcinosis). This previously undescribed observation supports a possible role for nonspecific heritable connective tissue factor...

Diffraction techniques for nonlamellar phases of phospholipids.

A neutron diffraction method applicable to nonlamellar phases of substrate-supported lipid membranes is described and validated. When prepared on a flat substrate, the resulting nonlamellar phases have layered symmetry which provides some advantages over powder diffraction for detailed structure determination. This approach recently led to the detection of a rhombohedral phase and a distorted h...