A few more examples of what Daniel refers to can be seen in Figure 11 - Nature Protocols 4:706-731, 2009. We encounter them from time to time using the in meso (lipidic cubic phase) method. With experience you get to recognize them for what they are.
Martin -----Original Message----- From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:ccp...@jiscmail.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Daniel Picot Sent: 18 June 2009 08:21 To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Phantom Crystals The object that approaches the most a ghost to my mind is a picture of a bubble trapped into a lipidic cubic phase of the detergent beta-octyl-glucoside, it can be found in the article from P. Sakya, J.M. Seddon & R. Templer (1994) J.Phys II France 4:1311. I got also crystals of membrane protein (i.e. not bubble) in the same detergent that exhibited the same faceted cubic habits, they often disappeared quickly (a few days) and were to soft to be manipulated. Daniel George DeTitta a écrit : > I'd appreciate it if people could tell me their experiences with what I > would call "phantom crystals", or "ghost crystals". These are objects > that display the seeming morphology of crystals (clear facets, sharp > edges) but do not diffract X-rays AT ALL. I would not count objects > that diffract to 30 A in this category. I mean objects that don't show > a single Bragg spot. > > > > **George T. DeTitta, Ph.D.** > > **Principal Research Scientist** > > **Hauptman-Woodward Institute** > > **Professor and Chairman** > > **Department of Structural Biology** > > **SUNY at Buffalo** > > **700 Ellicott Street**** Buffalo NY 14203-1102 USA** > > **(716) 898-8600 (voice)** > > **(716) 898-8660 (fax)** > > **www.hwi.buffalo.edu** <http://www.hwi.buffalo.edu> > > >