Introduction

The precise knowledge of the structure of biological macromolecules forms the basis of understanding their function and their mechanism of action. It also lays the foundation for rational protein and drug design. The only method to obtain this knowledge is still crystallography.

At present, the structures of about 400 proteins are known at or nearly at atomic resolution. However, only two of them are membrane proteins or complexes of membrane proteins. The reasons for this difference are not due to the crystals of membrane proteins resisting formation, but rather because membrane proteins resist forming well-ordered crystals.

Purpose of the Book

The intention of this book is to help produce well-ordered crystals of proteins and to provide guidelines. It is aimed at both biochemists and protein crystallographers.