Crystallography
Led by Prof. Naomi Chayen, research into crystallization for 3-D structure determination is a key element of Biomolecular Medicine and the group has pioneered methods for improved techniques that play an integral part in facilitating X-ray diffraction based protein structure elucidation. Prof. Chayen is recongnised as a world leader in crystallization with a strong track record in methodological advances.
The group have concentrated on optimising nucleation, the pre-requisite and first step which determines the outcome of the crystallisation process. They have developed novel methods for the robust and reproducible production of high quality crystals.
Latest News
Professor Naomi Chayen has won the Innovator of the Year Prize in the inaugural CWT Everywoman in Technology Awards, with a certificate presented by HRH the Princess Royal. Naomi received the Award for her original scientific research leading to patented, commercialised technologies for crystallisation of biological macromolecules that are adopted by crystal growth laboratories worldwide. More details can be found here.
Introduction
Knowledge of the 3D crystal structure of a protein is a fundamental part of characterisation and can help understand function. This is immensely important in both systems biology approaches in human health, and rational drug design. Producing high quality crystals in a reproducible fashion are critical to success and depends to a large extent on the nucleation process.
Recent Developments
Paper in PNAS 108, 11081–11086 (2011) reporting a new means of nucleating crystals by designing smart materials imprinted with proteins was featured in Nature Methods: Research News Highlights , Nature Chemistry: News and Views, New Scientist: Cutting-Edge Science, and also by The Engineer, Physorg, Science Daily, The London Press Service, and numerous others. Read the press release from Imperial here.
The European Commission has published Prof Chayen's results on CORDIS under the heading of Success Stories and Results, translated in 5 languages (FR, DE, ES, IT, PL). The results have also been published as the lead article in the Biology & Medicine section of the European Commission Research*EU Results Supplement. Click to download .pdf article.
New Book Available
“Macromolecular Crystallization and Crystal Perfection” by N.E. Chayen, J.R. Helliwell, and E.H. Snell. Oxford University Press 2010. More details here.
Outreach Activity
Speaker at Soapbox Science event (literally on a soapbox). The aim of the event was to showcase UK women in science and inspire the next generation of scientists by making science fun and accessible. The event received widespread media coverage, including related commentaries and contributions in The Guardian, Independent, and appeared as a New Statesman Cultural Pick of the Week.
Photos of crystals were recently displayed at The Royal Society "Crystal World" Exhibition (4th July 2011 - 5th October 2011).
Research Leading to Commercialisation
- "Naomi's Nucleant"
- 7 commercial kits for crystallisation sold by SME’s
Key Recent Publications
Saridakis E, Khurshid S, Govada L, Phan Q, Hawkins D, Crichlow GV, Lolis E, Reddy SM. and Chayen NE. 2011. Protein crystallization facilitated by molecularly imprinted polymers. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108: 11081-11086.
Chayen NE, Helliwell JR, Snell EH. 2010. Macromolecular Crystallization and Crystal Perfection. Oxford University Press, UK
Saridakis E, Chayen NE. 2009. Towards a 'universal' nucleant for protein crystallization. Trends Biotechnol 27(2):99-106.
Chayen NE. 2009. High-Throughput Protein Crystallization. Adv Protein Chem Struct Biol. 77:1-22.
Chayen NE, Saridakis E. 2008. Protein crystallization: from purified protein to diffraction-quality crystal. Nat Methods 5(2):147-53.
Helliwell JR, Chayen NE. 2007. Crystallography - A down-to-Earth approach. Nature 448(7154):658-9.
Chayen NE, Saridakis E, Sear RP. 2006. Experiment and theory for heterogeneous nucleation of protein crystals in a porous medium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103(3):597-601.
