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Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...
X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
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Updated: May 29, 2026

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature
07:42

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature

Published on: March 11, 2022

Cryo-crystallography: diffraction at low temperature and more.

Piero Macchi1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freistrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland. piero.macchi@dcb.unibe.ch

Topics in Current Chemistry
|September 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Low-temperature crystallography, or cryo-crystallography, explores crystal structures at reduced temperatures. This science offers insights into electron density and phase transitions, utilizing various complementary techniques.

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Crystallization and In Situ Room Temperature Data Collection Using the Crystallization Facility at Harwell and Beamline VMXi, Diamond Light Source
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An All-in-one Sample Holder for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography with Minimal Background Scattering
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

On-Chip Crystallization and Large-Scale Serial Diffraction at Room Temperature
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Published on: March 11, 2022

Crystallization and In Situ Room Temperature Data Collection Using the Crystallization Facility at Harwell and Beamline VMXi, Diamond Light Source
07:08

Crystallization and In Situ Room Temperature Data Collection Using the Crystallization Facility at Harwell and Beamline VMXi, Diamond Light Source

Published on: March 8, 2024

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An All-in-one Sample Holder for Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography with Minimal Background Scattering

Published on: July 6, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Crystallography
  • Low-temperature science

Background:

  • Crystallography is often mistaken for a mere technique, rather than a fundamental science.
  • Understanding crystal phases at low temperatures requires specific scientific context.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the motivations behind low-temperature crystallographic studies.
  • To present a comprehensive overview of methods used in cryo-crystallography.
  • To discuss the applications of low-temperature crystallography.

Main Methods:

  • Survey of various techniques for low-temperature crystallographic studies.
  • Discussion of complementary and supplementary methods.
  • Focus on techniques enabling highly accurate studies.

Main Results:

  • Provides the scientific background for studying crystal phases at low temperatures.
  • Highlights the motivations and methodologies in cryo-crystallography.
  • Discusses applications in electron density determination and phase transition mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Cryo-crystallography is a vital scientific field, distinct from just a technique.
  • Low-temperature studies offer unique insights into material properties and behavior.
  • The discussed methods and applications underscore the importance of cryo-crystallography.