Crystallization of proteins

Protein crystallization is the process of forming highly organized, repeating arrangements of protein molecules into a solid crystal. This occurs when conditions—like temperature, pH, and concentration—are carefully controlled to encourage proteins to come together in a regular pattern. The resulting crystals can be used to study the protein’s detailed structure through techniques like X-ray crystallography. Essentially, crystallization isolates a pure, ordered form of the protein, enabling scientists to analyze its shape and function at the atomic level, which is crucial for understanding biological processes and designing new drugs.