Mosaic spread characterization of microgravity-grown tetragonal lysozyme single crystals

Mosaic spread values for crystals grown in microgravity were measured using synchrotron radiation. Full width at half maximum (FWHM) values for diffraction line profiles in the range 10-20'' (arc seconds, 1'' = 1°/3600) were observed. These values are similar to those measured for crystals grown on earth using the gel-acupuncture method. The crystals analysed are composed of from two to five domains producing peaks having widths from 5 to 15''. The distribution of these domains is neither homogeneous (with domains of lower quality concentrated in the centre of the crystal) nor isotropic (producing peaks whose width changes depending on the observation direction). Methodological aspects are also discussed, with special consideration of the effects of mosaic spread on the data-collection procedures for high-resolution (low-intensity) reflections.