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Photonics Dictionary

protein crystallography

Protein crystallography is a scientific technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins at atomic resolution. It involves growing crystals of a protein of interest and then bombarding these crystals with x-rays. The x-rays scatter off the atoms in the crystal, creating a diffraction pattern that can be recorded on a detector. From this diffraction pattern, the positions of the atoms within the protein molecule can be deduced using mathematical techniques and computer algorithms.

The structure obtained through protein crystallography provides detailed information about the arrangement of atoms, the overall shape of the protein molecule, and how it interacts with other molecules. This information is crucial for understanding the protein's function, its role in biological processes, and for designing drugs or therapies that target specific proteins in diseases.

Protein crystallography has been a cornerstone of structural biology and has contributed significantly to our understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry.
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