From virus structure to chromatin: X-ray diffraction to three-dimensional electron microscopy.

Area of Science:

• Structural Biology
• Biophysics
• Crystallography

Background:

• Early research focused on X-ray crystallography of organic compounds, developing novel structure-solving methods.
• Investigated phase transitions in steel using numerical solutions of partial differential equations, applying nucleation and growth principles.

Discussion:

• The principles of nucleation and growth were later applied to the assembly of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
• Interpreted X-ray diffraction patterns of TMV, contributing to the understanding of its structure.

Key Insights:

• Developed a new method for solving crystal structures using molecular structure factors.
• Applied physical chemistry principles to biological macromolecule assembly.

Outlook:

• Continued work at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology fostered a sophisticated research environment.
• The trajectory highlights the interdisciplinary nature of scientific discovery, linking materials science to molecular biology.