International Tables for Crystallography
Access to online content requires a licence
You have followed a link to material from the 2012
edition of International Tables for Crystallography
Volume F. If you would like to update your licence to
include this material please contact
support@iucr.org.
If you have a licence for the 2006 edition of this volume
please follow the link below to access material from it:
International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. F, ch4.1 |
General methods International Tables for Crystallography (2012). Vol. F, ch. 4.1, pp. 99-121 [ doi:10.1107/97809553602060000812 ] Abstract The preparation of well diffracting crystals is a crucial step of any crystallographic project. This chapter defines the nature of biomacromolecular crystals, sketches the theoretical background of crystallogenesis and describes the practical approaches currently available for crystal growth in structural biology. Chemical, biochemical and physical parameters that affect crystallization are discussed. Emphasis is given to the importance of purity and of structural homogeneity. The classical crystallization methodologies are described, such as the favoured vapour-phase equilibration, batch and dialysis techniques, and the less widely used but powerful counter-diffusion methods, and the new trends for their miniaturization and automation are outlined. Advanced methodologies are also covered such as growth methods in convection-free media (i.e. in microfluidic devices or in gels). Furthermore, the behaviour of macromolecules during the prenucleation, nucleation and growth steps is discussed from the physics viewpoint, and ways to enhance crystal perfection are given. In a practical perspective, strategies to efficiently prepare crystals for structural biology and to overcome crystallization bottlenecks are proposed. |
Access, prices and ordering
International Tables for Crystallography is available online as a full set of volumes through Wiley.
If you have already registered and are using a computer listed in your registration details, please email support@iucr.org for assistance.
About International Tables for Crystallography
International Tables for Crystallography is the definitive resource and reference work for crystallography. The multi-volume series comprises articles and tables of data relevant to crystallographic research and to applications of crystallographic methods in all sciences concerned with the structure and properties of materials.