Seeing Things in a Different Light - How X-ray Crystallography Revealed the Structure of Everything

Explore the fascinating world of X-ray crystallography in this Royal Institution lecture. Delve into the groundbreaking technique that has revolutionized scientific research across multiple disciplines over the past century. Follow Professor Stephen Curry as he guides you through the history and development of X-ray crystallography, beginning with a clear explanation of diffraction principles. Discover the pivotal contributions of William Henry and William Lawrence Bragg, and witness how their work laid the foundation for modern structural analysis. Gain insights into the technique's wide-ranging applications, from unraveling the mysteries of biological molecules to its cutting-edge uses in contemporary science. Learn about key milestones in the field, including the crystallization of lysozyme, the structure determination of myoglobin and hemoglobin, and the powerful capabilities of the Diamond Light Source facility. Understand how X-ray crystallography has illuminated the atomic structure of everything around us, transforming our understanding of the material world.

Intro
Thomas Henry Huxley
X-ray scattering
Crystallisation of Lysozyme
Zinc Blende (Zn) crystals
Reflection from several semi-transparent layers of atoms
Layers in crystals
The reaction of chemists
Diffraction from crystals of big molecules (1929)
Biological crystallography
Myoglobin structure (1959)
Haemoglobin structure (1962)
The Diamond Light Source