DNA instructions pack proteins into unique crystal structures

An image showing growth and packing in x-ray diffraction quality protein single crystals

Source: © 2020 Elsevier Inc

Process could aid discovery of materials that exploit specific protein functions, such as drug molecules or biocatalysts

US researchers have used DNA to guide how proteins are packed into single crystals. The technique revealed three new protein crystal arrangements, demonstrating how it could aid the discovery of new structures for engineering materials that exploit highly specific protein functions, such as drug molecules or biocatalysts.