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Updated: May 23, 2026

Optimization of Crystal Growth for Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography
Published on: March 13, 2021
Practical physics behind growing crystals of biological macromolecules
Nadine Candoni1, Romain Grossier, Zoubida Hammadi
1CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, CINaM (Centre Interdisciplnaire de Nanosciences de Marseille), Campus de Luminy, Case 913, F-13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
Abstract:
The aim of this review is to provide biocrystallographers who intend to tackle protein-crystallization with theory and practical examples. Crystallization involves two separate processes, nucleation and growth, which are rarely completely unconnected. Here we give theoretical background and concrete examples illustrating protein crystallization. We describe the nucleation of a new phase, solid or liquid, and the growth and transformation of existing crystals obtained by primary or secondary nucleation or by seeding. Above all, we believe that a thorough knowledge of the phase diagram is vital to the selection of starting position and path for any crystallization experiment.
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