Introduction to protein crystallization

The gateway to X-ray crystallography is the growth of macromolecular crystals. An attempt is made here to acquaint investigators with the principles and practice of protein crystallization, some recent innovations, and to touch upon some of the remaining problems.

Mechanisms, kinetics, impurities and defects: consequences in macromolecular crystallization

New imaging techniques, particularly AFM, permitted the elucidation of the mechanisms for protein and virus crystal growth. They have also allowed direct visualization of crystal defect structure and the consequences of impurity incorporation.

Optimization of crystallization conditions for biological macromolecules

Strategies and procedures for the optimization of macromolecular crystal-growth conditions are surveyed. The objective of optimization is to grow crystals with the greatest degree of perfection and that yield the most accurate and precise X-ray diffraction data.