Crystallography Made Crystal Clear: A Guide for Users of Macromolecular Models

Describes the logical threads that connect diffraction patterns to the molecular models displayed on personal computers. Focusing on proteins, Rhodes (chemistry, University of Southern Maine) overviews how researchers use the technique of X-ray crystallography to learn macromolecular structures. The second edition adds two chapters on other diffraction methods, and other types of models. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Praise For the First Edition
"This terse, well-written book lives up to its title in great measure, and, in my opinion is now the best reference for noncrystallographers who want to know more about X-ray diffraction and the data that result from it. The author uses a clear and logical style to describe nearly every aspect of the X-ray diffraction experiment, and enough mathematics is given to afford readers a relatively sophisticated understanding of the subject."
--AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
"This excellent book is primarily aimed as researchers involved in molecular modelling who wish to improve their understanding of how crystal structures of proteins are obtained and how to assess their accuracy... Although this book is intended for non-specialists who need to learn something about crystallography and, as such, fills a gap in the current literature, it has much material of value to specialized research students. Had it appeared ten years ago, learning the tools of this trade would have been easier."
--TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
"Rhodes's book will find a much broader audience, however, as it is a well-written and up-to-date introduction... Crystallography is not an easy subject to teach or to learn, and Rhodes provides a comprehensive, yet less intimidating, treatment of the theoretical background, which should be understandable to a novice. The author assumes little mathematical knowledge and explains the physical significance of all equations. A most helpful feature is the use of a published structure report as an example of understanding and interpreting a macromolecular crystal structure determination, frequently the most difficult part for noncrystallographers. Highly recommended as a supplement to standard biochemistry works and as an introduction to the field for students learning crystallography."
--CHOICE
"Crystallography Made Crystal Clear bridges the gap between brief chapters and textbooks in biochemistry and proteins and complete treatments aimed at the professional crystallographer... Much of the book reads like a transcript of discussions between a wise and tolerant old crystallographer walking a novice through his/her first structure determination. All of the problems one encounters, from recognizing twinned crystals and visualizing the geometry of a precession camera, through identifying heavy atom binding sites from Patterson maps, to fitting electron density maps and refining the structure are dealt with patiently and creatively. Although all of the standard derivations are here, the text has a light touch which both novices and noncrystallographers will appreciate... The thirteen color plates are excellent... Given the brevity of the text, it is remarkably complete... This book will be useful in many contexts - in elementary courses in crystallography, in biochemistry courses as an auxiliary text, in crystallographic laboratories as a handbook for novices, and in molecular biology laboratories as an introduction to the Protein Data Base and molecular graphics. It can be perused in an afternoon which will be well spent."
--BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
"... I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in macromolecules and how their structures are solved. The material is well presented and easy to read and would provide a good starting point for an undergraduate considering going into the field. It also provides sufficient information to be used as a text in a course on biophysical techniques."
--BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION
"Anyone interested in how protein structures are determined should find reading it an enjoyable and satisfying experience... Crystallography Made Crystal Clear is clearly written, accurate, and easy to read. The author chose one of the most interesting topics in x-ray crystallography to examine, namely, the structure determination of proteins. Consequently the book can be recommended not only to the biochemists and biologists for whom it was written, but to all those who are curious."
--APPLIED OPTICS
"[A] successful introduction for those who try to understand and explore biological macromolecular structures... The text is loaded with many excellent didactic concepts and approaches."
--ACTA CRYST