Hi All I have a comment, based on my old supervisor's explanation, which seemed to make sense.
Crystals usually grow layer by layer. Once a new layer is formed it quickly expands to cover the whole surface. That's why crystals normally have flat surfaces and sharp edges - the layers/steps expand rapidly until they get to the edges. However it doesn't have to be like that. Sometimes new layers can form roughly as quickly as the previous layers can spread. The result is crystals with curved surfaces - or even just blobs. Just because the new layers form at a rate that is comparable to the spreading doesn't mean that the crystals won't be ordered, and won't diffract well. Once I understood that I understood what I was seeing better when I checked my drops. Best wishes Patrick On 5 July 2018 at 22:06, Sanishvili, Ruslan <rsanishv...@anl.gov> wrote: > Hi Anirban, > > It would be great if you could share the compilation of relevant responses > to your request. I think many others in the community could use these > examples for educational purposes. > > Best, > > Nukri > > > Ruslan Sanishvili (Nukri), Ph.D. > Macromolecular Crystallographer > GM/CA@APS > X-ray Science Division, ANL > 9700 S. Cass Ave. > Lemont, IL 60439 > > Tel: (630)252-0665 > Fax: (630)252-0667 > rsanishv...@anl.gov > > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* CCP4 bulletin board <CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> on behalf of Anirban > Banerjee <ani...@gmail.com> > *Sent:* Thursday, June 28, 2018 7:07 PM > *To:* CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK > *Subject:* [ccp4bb] Please share your experience about "ugly" crystals > showing good diffraction > > > Dear all, > > Apologies for the non-CCP4 related question. > > If you have concrete experience about visually unappealing, i.e. ugly > crystals ( your own take on ugly is fine) diffracting better than > comparably similar sized nicer looking crystals of the same protein, will > you please share here ? Even better if that led to a published structure. > Might you also have pictures ? > > We have all heard anecdotes about not using visual appearance to judge the > quality of crystals as far as their ability to give good diffraction data > is concerned but I am trying to gather some concrete pointers here to > motivate trainees. > > Thanks very much for any help. > > Best, > > Anirban > > P.S. I know that there is probably a lot of thought and wisdom on this > this specific topic but I am really looking for actual experience. > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: > https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1 > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: > https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1 > -- patr...@douglas.co.uk Douglas Instruments Ltd. Douglas House, East Garston, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 7HD, UK Directors: Peter Baldock, Patrick Shaw Stewart http://www.douglas.co.uk Tel: 44 (0) 148-864-9090 US toll-free 1-877-225-2034 Regd. England 2177994, VAT Reg. GB 480 7371 36 ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=CCP4BB&A=1
