Protein X-Ray Crystallography: A log way comprising molecular biology, chemistry, physics, statistics and heavy computer calculations. (Comunicación oral)

MÁXIMO BARRERAS; SEBASTIÁN KLINKE

Pto. Madryn, Chubut

Congreso; Segunda Reunión de la Asociación Argentina de Cristalografía; 2006

Asociación Argentina de Cristalografía

X-ray crystallography is undoubtedly the most powerful tool in understanding protein andmacromolecular three-dimensional structure. It is widely used by the pharmaceutical industry in new drugs design, as well for improvement of natural antibiotics and related molecules. Nowadays, this multi-disciplined field is in exponential growth, with more than 35000 structures deposited at the Protein Data Bank, the public repository of solved models. In this talk, we will present all steps involved in the process from genes to the final structures. Focus will be made on gene cloning, protein expression and purification, crystallization, sample preparation, X-ray diffraction measurement and processing, structure solving and manual and computational refinement. Additionally, we will show the use of synchrotron radiation based on our experience at the Brazilian Synchrotron LNLS and the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York.