X-Ray Crystallography
Graphics by Angela Yu.
In general, X-ray crystallography gives reconstructions of significantly
higher resolution than does
electron
cryo-microscopy. Then why don't scientists simply skip electron
cryo-microscopy and go straight for X-ray crystallography? The reason
is that it is not always possible to crystallize viruses necessary
for X-ray crystallography.
In our lab, we have been able to crystallize
Norwalk Virus and San Miguel Sealion Virus and carry out
atomic resolution structural analysis by X-ray crystallography. We are pursuing X-ray crystallographic studies
on the non-structural proteins encoded by rotavirus and calicivirus genomes. Structure of
NSP2
of rotavirus, a protein involved genome replication/pacakging is determined to 2.6 A resolution.
Please send comments to
vprasad@bcm.tmc.edu