Illuminating the secrets of crystals: microcrystal electron diffraction in structural biology. (6th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barringer, Rob
• Is Part Of: Bioscience horizons. Volume 11(2018)
• Publication Date: 2019-02-06
• Subjects: MicroED -- crystallography -- structural biology -- method development; Biology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Study and teaching (Graduate) -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Graduate) -- Periodicals; 570.72
• DOI: 10.1093/biohorizons/hzy013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-7153

Abstract

Abstract: X-ray crystallography (XRC) has visualised biological macromolecules in exquisite detail for over 50 years, relying on a combination of mathematical principles to offer insight into atomic structures. Crystals can diffract various electromagnetic waves aside from the conventional X-ray, offering an alternative approach to crystallographic structural analysis. Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) illuminates crystals with electron waves instead of X-rays. Two specialised groups have demonstrated that MicroED can give high-resolution (often atomic) data, and now appears to be developing into a powerful alternative method to XRC or electron microscopy of macromolecules. How MicroED compares to XRC will be key to assessing it as a stand-alone crystallographic technique. This review presents a critical analysis of MicroED, with comments on theoretical and practical aspects and suggestions of further work and development.