A team of Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute scientists have a new publication in Cell Press Cell Reports Physical Science.
Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is an expanding diffraction-based method making headway in both small-molecule and macromolecular structural science. The perspective discusses electron diffraction, providing an overview of current approaches and tools for implementation, as well as describing challenges and the need for technological developments going forward.
MicroED uses CryoEM instrumentation with extremely small crystals that are difficult to detect, making it a perfect collaborative effort between our CryoEM experts Devrim Acehan and Katherine Spoth, and the nanocrystal technology development expertise from Sarah EJ Bowman, Miranda Lynch, Gabrielle Budziszewski, PhD, Elizabeth Snell, & Chris Campomizzi, PhD.
MicroED can be used to determine structures of protein-drug complexes, small molecules important in developing new drugs, and proteins important in human health and disease. Our HWI scientists are working on the technology developments needed to make major inroads in this method.
Link to paper: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(24)00275-3