Practical Protein Chemistry - A. Darbre 1989

X-Ray Crystallography and Electron Microscopy
X-Ray Diffraction
Introduction

D. DOVER (Department of Biophysics, King's College, London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, U.K.)

The ultimate goal pursued by a biochemical researcher is to elucidate the dynamic three-dimensional Structure OF THE molecule under study, reflecting all conformational changes occurring during its functioning. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis is currently the only method that provides detailed information on the Spatial Organization of protein molecules. However, even this technique allows for the determination of, at best, only a limited number of conformational states of a complex chemical compound. Other physical Methods can be used to estimate, for example, the shape, size, and Asymmetry of a molecule, or conversely, to examine in detail The structure of only a small fragment of a macromolecule. Unlike these methods, Electron Cell/15.html">Microscopy makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional images of protein molecules, although the resolution level of their structural details is significantly lower than that of X-ray diffraction analysis.



Last update: 06/08/2026

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