Molecular structures in proteins

Hidden molecular structures in proteins revealed

Improved X-ray diffraction software uses statistical methods

December 23, 2014

A membrane protein called cysZ, imaged in three dimensions with Phenix software, using data that could not previously be analyzed (credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Los Alamos National Lab scientists have developed statistical methods that allow for creating three-dimensional pictures of previously hidden molecular structures in proteins.

To view the proteins, researchers produce billions of copies, dissolve them in water, and grow crystals of the protein, then shine a beam of X-rays and measure the brightness of each of the thousands of diffracted X-ray spots that are produced./.../