Characterization of crystals of small ribosomal subunits

Crystals of intact small ribosomal subunits from Thermus thermophilus have been obtained from functionally active particles. The crystals (P42(1)2, 407 A x 407 A x 171 A) are suitable for X-ray crystallography analysis to 9.9 A using synchrotron radiation at cryotemperature. Crystallographic data from native and a potential heavy-atom derivative have been collected.