data collection and interpretation
Detectors
The highly sensitive detectors placed behind the sample to pick up the photons that pass through the sample are the way that data is recorded so that it can be analyzed. Nowadays, two main types of detectors are used: charge couple device-based detectors (CCD detectors) and pixel array detectors. CCD detectors a very fast, picking up the X-rays that pass through the sample but do not hit the beamstop in seconds, and transferring the data quickly to a computer. Pixel array detectors do not use a fiber optic taper to detect the beams like the CCD detector, which enables them to work faster, with an even greater dynamic range. These detectors can process the information in a matter of milliseconds. Although this is impressive and some of the very newest technology, these cannot yet be made in large groups, so must be tiled to create larger detectors.
Understanding Diffraction Patterns
Unlike in the days before sophisticated software packages, now most of those using the crystallography-programmed computers do not have to worry about understanding the interface because it is extremely user-friendly. Overall, the process has increased in efficiency even though the steps taken are very similar.
Data Analysis
The main two changes that have occurred in terms of data analysis since the early X-ray crystallographers were solving structures is that now most of the analysis is done on computers in a short amount of time, and the phasing can be aided by the large databases of known protein structures. Once they unveil another structure, scientists submit their findings to a worldwide protein bank, such as the RCSB protein bank. Phasing, or the relative position of parts of a molecule, of similar molecules or the same molecule in a different organism is generally almost the same. This means that once a certain structure is known, relatives of that molecules can be found more easily.
The highly sensitive detectors placed behind the sample to pick up the photons that pass through the sample are the way that data is recorded so that it can be analyzed. Nowadays, two main types of detectors are used: charge couple device-based detectors (CCD detectors) and pixel array detectors. CCD detectors a very fast, picking up the X-rays that pass through the sample but do not hit the beamstop in seconds, and transferring the data quickly to a computer. Pixel array detectors do not use a fiber optic taper to detect the beams like the CCD detector, which enables them to work faster, with an even greater dynamic range. These detectors can process the information in a matter of milliseconds. Although this is impressive and some of the very newest technology, these cannot yet be made in large groups, so must be tiled to create larger detectors.
Understanding Diffraction Patterns
Unlike in the days before sophisticated software packages, now most of those using the crystallography-programmed computers do not have to worry about understanding the interface because it is extremely user-friendly. Overall, the process has increased in efficiency even though the steps taken are very similar.
Data Analysis
The main two changes that have occurred in terms of data analysis since the early X-ray crystallographers were solving structures is that now most of the analysis is done on computers in a short amount of time, and the phasing can be aided by the large databases of known protein structures. Once they unveil another structure, scientists submit their findings to a worldwide protein bank, such as the RCSB protein bank. Phasing, or the relative position of parts of a molecule, of similar molecules or the same molecule in a different organism is generally almost the same. This means that once a certain structure is known, relatives of that molecules can be found more easily.