Crystallization of Nucleic Acids and Proteins : A Practical Approach

X-ray crystallography is the major method of determining biological structures yet the procedures involved in obtaining the required crystals are still seen as something of a black art by many molecular biologists. As with the previous edition this book will dispel this idea by providing a detailed and rational guide to obtaining crystals or proteins and nucleic acids for diffraction studies.

Crystallography is the major method of determining structures of biological macromolecules yet crystallization techniques are still regarded as difficult to perform. This new edition of Crystallization of Nucliec Acids and Proteins: A Practical Approach continues in the vein of the first edition by providing a detailed and rational guide to producing crystals of proteins and nucleic acids of sufficient quantity and quality for diffraction studies. It has been thoroughly updated to include all the major new techniques such as the uses of molecular biology in structural biology (maximizing expression systems, sequence modifications to enable crystallization, and the introduction of anomalous scatterers); diagnostic analysis of prenucleation and nucleation by spectroscopic methods; and the two- dimensional electron crystallography of soluble proteins on planar lipid films. As well as an introduction to crystallogenesis, the other topics covered are: Handling macromolecular solutions, experimental design, seeding, proceeding from solutions to crystals Crystallization in gels Crystallization of nucleic acid complexes and membrane proteins Soaking techniques Preliminary characterization of crystals in order to tell whether they are suitable for diffraction studies. As with all Practical Approach books the protocols have been written by experienced researchers and are tried an tested methods. The underlying theory is brought together with the laboratory protocols to provide researchers with the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to exploit these powerful techniques. Crystallization of Nucliec Acids and Proteins: A Practical Approach 2e will be an invaluable manual of practical crystallization methods to researchers in molecular biology, crystallography, protein engineering, and biological chemistry.