• Question: Hi how do you crystallize protein?

    Asked by emilylynes to Dave on 19 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: David Briggs

      David Briggs answered on 19 Jun 2013:

      Hi Emily,

      we mix tiny drops of pure protein with as many different crystallisation solutions as we can find, and let them slowly get more and more concentrated using a process called “vapour diffusion”.

      Crystallisation solutions are just “things that have worked before” – we can buy them from companies.

      We basically try as many things as possible and hopefully one will work. Then we tweak that conditions to get the best crystals we can.

      IT can take a long long time!

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