Theoretical and experimental investigation on protein crystal nucleation in pores and crevices
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Nanev, Christo
Govada, Lata
Chayen, Naomi
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The nucleation ability of pores is explained using the equilibration between the cohesive energy maintaining the integrity of a crystalline cluster and the destructive energy tending to tear it up. It is shown that to get 3D crystals it is vital to have 2D crystals nucleating in the pores first. By filling the pore orifice, the 2D crystal nuclei are more stable because their peripheries are protected from the destructive action of water molecules. Furthermore, the periphery of the 2D crystal is additionally stabilized as a result of its cohesion with the pore wall. The understanding provided by this study combining theory and experiment will facilitate the design of new nucleants.
Date Issued
2021-03-01
Date Acceptance
2021-01-08
Citation
IUCrJ, 2021, 8 (2), pp.270-280
ISSN
2052-2525
Publisher
International Union of Crystallography
Start Page
270
End Page
280
Journal / Book Title
IUCrJ
Volume
8
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). This article is available open access under CC-BY Attribution Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Subjects
0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
0204 Condensed Matter Physics
0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-02-11