Macromolecular crystal growth investigations using atomic force microscopy.

A Mcpherson,M Plomp,A J Malkin,Y G Kuznetsov

doi:10.1107/s0909049503023914

Abstract

Direct visualization of macromolecular crystal growth using atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided a powerful tool in the delineation of mechanisms and the kinetics of the growth process. It has further allowed us to evaluate the wide variety of impurities that are incorporated into crystals of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses. It is possible, using AFM, to image the defects and imperfections that afflict these crystals, the impurity layers that poison their surfaces, and the consequences of various factors on morphological development. All of these can be recorded under normal growth conditions, in native mother liquors, over time intervals ranging from minutes to days, and at the molecular level.

Highlights

Direct visualization of macromolecular crystal growth using atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided a powerful tool in the delineation of mechanisms and the kinetics of the growth process
We can, using AFM, image the defects and imperfections that afflict these crystals, the impurity layers that poison their surfaces, and the consequences of various factors on morphological development. All of these can be recorded under normal growth conditions, in native mother liquors, over time intervals ranging from minutes to days, and at the molecular level
Its application extends over the dimension range lying between single macromolecules, which can be studied by X-ray crystallography, macromolecular assemblies amenable to electron microscopy, and encompasses living cells which can just be visualized using light microscopy

Summary

Introduction

Macromolecular crystal growth investigations using atomic force microscopy Direct visualization of macromolecular crystal growth using atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided a powerful tool in the delineation of mechanisms and the kinetics of the growth process. We can, using AFM, image the defects and imperfections that afflict these crystals, the impurity layers that poison their surfaces, and the consequences of various factors on morphological development.

Results

Conclusion