Determining the chemical formula of a protein is fairly straightforward, because all proteins are essentially long chains of molecules called amino acids. Each chain, however, folds into a unique three-dimensional shape that helps produce the characteristic properties and function of the protein.
These shapes are more difficult to determine (or "solve"); scientists traditionally do so using a technique called X-ray crystallography, in which X-rays are shot through a crystallized sample and scatter off the atoms in a distinctive pattern.
This spring, Caltech students had the opportunity to use the technique to solve protein structures themselves in a new course taught by Moore Foundation grantee André Hoelz, a professor of chemistry at Caltech.
Although the Institute has a long history in the fields of structural biology and X-ray crystallography, the chance to get hands-on experience with the technique is rare at most universities, Caltech included. Indeed, the method is more commonly performed at specialized facilities with high-energy X-ray beam lines, including the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL).
However, in 2007, Caltech opened the Molecular Observatory—a dedicated, completely automated radiation beam line at SSRL."The Molecular Observatory gives us lots of beam time," Hoelz said, "which allowed me the opportunity to develop this course and train students in a way not commonly found at universities."
Read the full article here and read about a recent breakthrough in Hoelz's lab using the Molecular Observatory here.
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