Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Determination of Crystal Structures01:29

Determination of Crystal Structures

118
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...
118
X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

27.0K
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.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
27.0K
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples01:10

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples

5.2K
X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are  scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The  X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...
5.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Comments to the Editor Due to the Response by the Supuran Group to Our Article.

Biophysical journal·2020
Same author

Perspectives on the Classical Enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase and the Search for Inhibitors.

Biophysical journal·2020
Same author

An enzyme in disguise.

IUCrJ·2020
Same author

The enigmatic ribosomal stalk.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2019
Same author

Carbonic anhydrase under pressure.

IUCrJ·2018
Same author

A recent intermezzo at the Ribosome Club.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2017

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 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

2.5K

Protein Crystallography from the Perspective of Technology Developments.

Xiao-Dong Su1, Heng Zhang1, Thomas C Terwilliger2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, and Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.

Crystallography Reviews
|May 19, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Modern crystallography, especially protein crystallography, has advanced significantly due to X-ray diffraction, powerful X-ray sources like synchrotron radiation, and recombinant DNA technology. Future developments include X-ray free-electron lasers.

Keywords:
X-ray crystallographyX-ray free-electron laser (XFEL)computer programs and graphicsprotein crystallizationrecombinant DNA techniquesstructural genomics (SG)synchrotron radiation (SR)

More Related Videos

Crystallization of Proteins on Chip by Microdialysis for In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies
12:38

Crystallization of Proteins on Chip by Microdialysis for In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies

Published on: April 11, 2021

7.2K
Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography
09:27

Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography

Published on: January 16, 2011

66.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 12, 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

2.5K
Crystallization of Proteins on Chip by Microdialysis for In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies
12:38

Crystallization of Proteins on Chip by Microdialysis for In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies

Published on: April 11, 2021

7.2K
Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography
09:27

Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography

Published on: January 16, 2011

66.0K

Area of Science:

  • Crystallography
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Crystallography originated in mineralogy and mathematics, focusing on crystal lattice symmetry.
  • The discovery of X-rays and X-ray diffraction by Max von Laue and the Braggs revolutionized the field, enabling atomic structure determination.
  • Protein crystallography (PX) emerged later, building upon these foundational discoveries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical overview of the evolution of crystallography and protein crystallography.
  • To highlight key technological and theoretical advancements driving progress in the field.
  • To discuss the impact of recombinant DNA technology and emerging technologies like X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs).

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of key discoveries and technological advancements in crystallography.
  • Discussion of theoretical breakthroughs (phasing, direct methods) and technical improvements (X-ray sources, detectors, computation).
  • Examination of the role of recombinant DNA technology and high-throughput methods in structural genomics.

Main Results:

  • Crystallography transitioned from theoretical symmetry studies to atomic-level structure determination with the advent of X-rays.
  • Significant progress in protein crystallography over the last 50-60 years is attributed to multiple integrated advancements.
  • Recombinant DNA technology and automation have accelerated structural genomics efforts.

Conclusions:

  • Modern crystallography, particularly protein crystallography, has experienced exponential growth due to technological innovation.
  • Emerging technologies like X-ray free-electron lasers promise further transformative changes in the near future.
  • The field continues to evolve, offering powerful tools for understanding biological structures at an atomic level.