Open AccessTrial by fire: are the crystals macromolecules?
Author(s) -
Raghunathan Kannan,
Harris Paul T.,
Arvidson Dennis N.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section f
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1744-3091
DOI - 10.1107/s1744309110012078
Subject(s) - macromolecule , bunsen burner , crystallization , protein crystallization , materials science , slip (aerodynamics) , crystal (programming language) , salt (chemistry) , crystallography , chemistry , combustor , organic chemistry , combustion , biochemistry , thermodynamics , programming language , computer science , physics
Protein crystallization screens frequently yield salt crystals as well as protein crystals. A simple method for determining whether a crystal is composed of salt or macromolecules is suggested. A drop containing one or more crystals is transferred to a glass cover slip and the cover slip is then passed through the flame of a Bunsen burner. Macromolecule crystals are destroyed by this treatment, while salt crystals generally remain. The test can be performed after other commonly used tests such as crushing and staining.