Determination of protein structures - a series of fortunate events
Maksymilian Chruszcz 1, Alexander Wlodawer 2 and Wladek Minor 1*
1 University of Virginia
2 National Cancer Institute
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: wladek{at}iwonka.med.virginia.edu.
Submitted on March 5, 2008
Revised on March 12, 2008
Accepted on 31 March 2008
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Abstract |
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Determination of a macromolecular structure using X-ray diffraction is a multi-step process that involves a plethora of techniques involving molecular biology, bioinformatics, and physical sciences. Counterintuitively, the success of any or all individual steps does not guarantee the success of the overall process. This review examines the difficulties presented by each step on the path from a gene to the final publication, together with certain lucky (or unlucky) circumstances that can affect the velocity along that path.
Key Words:
Protein Crystallography, Structural Biology, X-ray Diffraction
