Turku Centre for Biotechnology

Basic X-ray crystallography techniques: How to solve a protein structure (BIOI4301)

Aim: The aim of the course is to familiarize students and experienced researchers with the various crystallographic programs used in the determination of protein structures. By the end of the course, it is expected that the participants will be able to solve the crystal structure of a simple protein using X-ray crystallography techniques and understand the terminology used in publications.

Content: The course consists of lectures, demonstrations and practicals of all major steps in a crystal structure determination - from crystallization and data collection to computation techniques and the final structure. Key crystallographic programs include MOSFLM for data processing, CCP4i for data handling and refinement, PHASER for molecular replacement, PHENIX for experimental phasing and refinement, COOT for visualization of the structures and manual rebuilding, and CCP4MG for creation of figures and representation of the structures.

Starting date: February 2, 2012 

Duration: 14 hrs (2 hrs lectures + 10 hrs practicals/demonstrations + 2 hrs exam)

Evaluation: Attendance and a written exam (questions + essay); 2 ECTS

Location: Turku Centre for Biotechnology, X-ray facility

Responsible person: Tassos Papageorgiou. To enroll for the course please send an e-mail before January 30 with the subject line: X-ray crystallography course.

Other information: No maths required (only some powers of ten).