Structural biologists rely on X-ray crystallography as the main technique for determining the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules; however, in recent years, new methods that go beyond X-ray-based technologies are broadening the selection of tools to understand molecular structure and function. Simultaneously, national facilities are developing programming tools and maintaining personnel to aid novice structural biologists in de novo structure determination. The combination of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) now enable time-resolved structure determination that allows for capture of dynamic processes, such as reaction mechanism and conformational flexibility. XFEL and SFX, along with microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED), help side-step the need for large crystals for structural studies. Moreover, advances in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as a tool for structure determination is revolutionizing how difficult to crystallize macromolecules and/or complexes can be visualized at the atomic scale. This review aims to provide a broad overview of these new methods and to guide readers to more in-depth literature of these methods.
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May 2021
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In recent years, an array of emerging technologies are propelling plant science in new directions and allowing for the integration of data across multiple scales. This special issue on Emerging Topics in Plant Science brings together reviews that spotlight a range of technologies that are changing how we ask questions and integrate those questions from the macromolecular to ecosystem scales.
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February 04 2021
Beyond X-rays: an overview of emerging structural biology methods Available to Purchase
Jason E. Schaffer;
Jason E. Schaffer
Department of Biology, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A.
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Vandna Kukshal;
Vandna Kukshal
Department of Biology, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A.
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Justin J. Miller;
Justin J. Miller
Department of Biology, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A.
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Vivian Kitainda;
Vivian Kitainda
Department of Biology, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A.
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Joseph M. Jez
Department of Biology, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1137, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Joseph M. Jez ([email protected])
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 29 2020
Revision Received:
December 27 2020
Accepted:
January 20 2021
Online ISSN: 2397-8562
Print ISSN: 2397-8554
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society and the Royal Society of Biology
2021
Emerg Top Life Sci (2021) 5 (2): 221–230.
Article history
Received:
November 29 2020
Revision Received:
December 27 2020
Accepted:
January 20 2021
Citation
Jason E. Schaffer, Vandna Kukshal, Justin J. Miller, Vivian Kitainda, Joseph M. Jez; Beyond X-rays: an overview of emerging structural biology methods. Emerg Top Life Sci 21 May 2021; 5 (2): 221–230. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20200272
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