The proteome remains a mysterious realm. Researchers have determined the structures of only a small fraction of the proteins encoded by the human genome. Crystallography continues to be the primary method used to determine the structures of the remaining unknown proteins. This imaging technique uses the diffraction of X-rays to determine a protein’s three-dimensional molecular structure. Drawing on years of research and teaching experience, Eaton E. Lattman and Patrick J. Loll use clear examples and abundant illustrations to provide a concise and accessible primer on protein crystallography. Discussing the basics of diffraction, the behavior of two- and three-dimensional crystals, phase determination (including MIR and MAD phasing and molecular replacement), the Patterson function, and refinement, Lattman and Loll provide a complete overview of this important technique, illuminated by physical insights. The crisp writing style and simple illustrations will provide beginner crystallographers with a guide to the process of unraveling protein structure.

New textbooks at all levels of chemistry appear with great regularity. Some fields such as basic biochemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and chemical thermodynamics are well represented by many excellent texts, and new or revised editions are published sufficiently often to keep up with progress in research. However, some areas of chemistry, especially many of those taught at the graduate level, suffer from a real lack of up to-date textbooks. The most serious needs occur in fields that are rapidly changing. Textbooks in these subjects usually have to be written by scientists actually involved in the research that is advancing the field. It is not often easy to persuade such individuals to set time aside to help spread the knowledge they have accumulated. Our goal, in this series, is to pinpoint areas of chemistry where recent progress has outpaced what is covered in any available textbooks, and then seek out and persuade experts in these fields to produce relatively concise but instructive intro ductions to their fields. These should serve the needs of one-semester or one-quarter graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry. In some cases, the availability of texts in active research areas should help stimulate the creation of new courses. Charles R. Cantor v Preface to the Second Edition Since the publication of the previous edition in 1994, X-ray crystallography of proteins has advanced by improvements in existing techniques and by addition of new techniques.

This volume provides methods for modern macromolecular crystallography, including all steps leading to crystal structure determination and analysis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Protein Crystallography aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Protein crystallography has become vital to further understanding the structure and function of many complex biological systems. In recent years, structure determination has progressed tremendously however the quality of crystals and data sets can prevent the best results from being obtained. With contributions from world leading researchers whose software are used worldwide, this book provides a coherent approach on how to handle difficult crystallographic data and how to assess its quality. The chapters will cover all key aspects of protein crystallography, from instrumentation and data processing through to model building. This book also addresses challenges that protein crystallographers will face such as dealing with data from microcrystals and multi protein complexes. This book is ideal for both academics and researchers in industry looking for a comprehensive guide to protein crystallography.

Protein crystallography has become vital to further understanding the structure and function of many complex biological systems. In recent years, structure determination has progressed tremendously however the quality of crystals and data sets can prevent the best results from being obtained. With contributions from world leading researchers whose software are used worldwide, this book provides a coherent approach on how to handle difficult crystallographic data and how to assess its quality. The chapters will cover all key aspects of protein crystallography, from instrumentation and data processing through to model building. This book also addresses challenges that protein crystallographers will face such as dealing with data from microcrystals and multi protein complexes. This book is ideal for both academics and researchers in industry looking for a comprehensive guide to protein crystallography.

New textbooks at all levels of chemistry appear with great regularity. Some fields such as basic biochemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and chemical thermodynamics are well represented by many excellent texts, and new or revised editions are published sufficiently often to keep up with progress in research. However, some areas of chemistry, especially many of those taught at the graduate level, suffer from a real lack of up to-date textbooks. The most serious needs occur in fields that are rapidly changing. Textbooks in these subjects usually have to be written by scientists actually involved in the research that is advancing the field. It is not often easy to persuade such individuals to set time aside to help spread the knowledge they have accumulated. Our goal, in this series, is to pinpoint areas of chemistry where recent progress has outpaced what is covered in any available textbooks, and then seek out and persuade experts in these fields to produce relatively concise but instructive intro ductions to their fields. These should serve the needs of one-semester or one-quarter graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry. In some cases, the availability of texts in active research areas should help stimulate the creation of new courses. Charles R. Cantor v Preface to the Second Edition Since the publication of the previous edition in 1994, X-ray crystallography of proteins has advanced by improvements in existing techniques and by addition of new techniques.