Work

Mapping the conformations of biological assemblies

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Mapping conformational heterogeneity of macromolecules presents a formidable challenge to x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, which often presume its absence. This has severely limited our knowledge of the conformations assumed by biological systems and their role in biological function, even though they are known to be important. We propose a new approach to determining to high resolution the three-dimensional conformations of biological entities such as molecules, macromolecular assemblies and ultimately cells with existing and emerging experimental techniques. This approach may also enable one to circumvent current limits due to radiation damage and solution purification.

Source: New Journal of Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/12/3/035007

Authors: P Schwander, R Fung, G N Phillips, A Ourmazd

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Enzyme Structure and Function

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610

Funder: National Institutes of Health