/
Article

Macromolecular Structure from Anomalous Dispersion

JUN 01, 1989
A simple algebraic analysis of diffraction data from the unusual scattering near an absorption edge reveals the structures of substances that play a primary role in the processes of life.
Jerome Karle

Knowledge of the structures of macromolecules is of major importance both to basic science and to new, burgeoning industries. The determination of these structures is improving our understanding of fundamental biological processes, and so it sets the stage for the broad explanation of diseases on the molecular level and for the rational design of drugs. It promises to give insight into such topics as the mechanisms of enzyme action, the implications of protein structure for evolutionary development, the relation of amino acid sequences to three‐dimensional structure and the relation between structure and function in complicated systems such as viruses, muscle, ribosomes and chromatin.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. W. A. Hendrickson, A. Pähler, J. L. Smith, Y. Satow, E. A. Merritt, R. P. Phizackerley, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 2190 (1989).https://doi.org/PNASA6

  2. 2. J. Karle, Angew. Chem. (English ed.) 25, 614 (1986).

  3. 3. A. L. Patterson, Z. Kristallogr. 90, 517 (1935).https://doi.org/ZEKRDZ

  4. 4. D. H. Templeton, L. K. Templeton, J. C. Phillips, K. O. Hodgson, Acta Crystallogr. A 36, 436 (1980).https://doi.org/ACACBN

  5. 5. A. F. Peerdeman, A. J. van Bommel, J. M. Bijvoet, Proc. R. Soc. Amsterdam B 54, 16 (1951).

  6. 6. A. J. van Bommel, Proc. R. Soc. Amsterdam B 56, 268 (1953).

  7. 7. S. Ramaseshan, S. C. Abrahams, eds., Anomalous Scattering, Munksgaard, Copenhagen (1975).

  8. 8. W. A. Hendrickson, M. M. Teeter, Nature 290, 107 (1981).https://doi.org/NATUAS

  9. 9. J. Karle, Int. J. Quantum Chem. 7, 357 (1980).https://doi.org/IJQCB2

  10. 10. J. M. Guss, E. A. Merritt, R. P. Phizackerley, B. Hedman, M. Murata, K. O. Hodgson, H. C. Freeman, Science 241, 806 (1988).https://doi.org/SCIEAS

  11. 11. G. Chapuis, D. H. Templeton, L. K. Templeton, Acta Crystallogr. A 41, 274 (1985).https://doi.org/ACACEQ

More about the authors

Jerome Karle, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC.

Related content
/
Article
Since 2008, more than 100 colleges and universities in the US have stopped offering an undergraduate physics major. What happened?
/
Article
The thermodynamic and quantum mechanical properties of topological insulators provide a path toward scalable energy storage in information-based batteries.
/
Article
At the end of the turbulent 1960s, the postwar funding boom in US physics came to a crashing halt. The lessons learned then may be helpful to today’s physicists.
/
Article
Interviews with 22 successful early-career physical scientists and engineers reveal that networking has been one of the most critical ways to nurture their careers.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1989_06.jpeg

Volume 42, Number 6

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.