Novel nozzle saves crystals-double flow concept widens spectrum for protein crystallography
(PHYSorg.com Physics)

Scientists are interested in the spatial structure of proteins to learn about the workings of these biomolecules. This knowledge can lead to a better understanding of the functions of biomolecules and to tailored medicines. X-ray crystallography is the prime tool to solve protein structures. However, it requires growing crystals of the proteins under investigation. When X-rays hit these crystals, they are diffracted from the atoms to form a characteristic pattern from which the spatial structure of the crystal-and hence the protein molecules-can be calculated.