New developments in crystallography: exploring its technology, methods and scope in the molecular biosciences.

摘要: Since the Protein Data Bank (PDB) was founded in 1971, there are now over 120,000 depositions, majority of which from X-ray crystallography and 90% those made use synchrotron beamlines. At Cambridge Structure Database (CSD), 1965, more than 800,000 ‘small molecule’ crystal structure depositions a very large number relevant biosciences as ligands or cofactors. The technology for analysis is still developing rapidly both at synchrotrons home labs. Determination details hydrogen atoms biological macromolecules well served using neutrons probe. Large multi-macromolecular complexes cause major challenges to crystallization; electrons probes offer unique advantages here. Methods developments naturally accompany change, mainly incremental but some, such tuneability, intensity collimation radiation, have effected radical changes capability crystallography. In past few years, laser has taken measurement times into femtosecond range. terms applications many new discoveries been molecular biosciences. scope crystallographic techniques indeed wide. As examples, insights chemical catalysis enzymes relating ligand bound structures thermodynamics gained predictive power seen not yet achieved. Metal also an emerging theme biomedicine applications. Our studies coloration live cooked lobsters proved be unexpected favourite with public schoolchildren. More generally, understanding crystallography’s role within field greatly enhanced by United Nations International Year Crystallography coordinated Union Crystallography. This topical review describes each these areas along illustrative results document methodology.