How to grow a single crystal with Johanna

A simple introduction to growing a single crystal using basic apparatus as found in a school chemistry classroom.

Animation by Quidos
Category: Science & Technology. Duration: 4m 10s

 License: Creative Commons

Understanding crystallography: Part Two

From Crystal to Diamond

In the second part of this mini-series, Professor Stephen Curry takes us on a journey into the Diamond Light Source, one of the UK's most expensive and sophisticated scientific facilities.

Generating light brighter than the sun, and hosting as a particle accelerator, Diamond is often used to determine the structure of complex molecules. By placing crystalline samples of proteins in the powerful beams of X-rays, scientists can use the data obatined from the generated diffraction patterns to model accurate 3D structures of the protein molecules.

Professor Curry explores the inner workings of the Diamond Light Source to reveal how such facilities are aiding the field of structural biology and continuing the work of the early pioneers of crystallography over 100 years ago.

This film was supported by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).With thanks to Professor Stephen Curry and Dimaond Light Source.

Published: 2014
Filmed: 2014. Duration: 8m 15s
Credits: Ed Prosser / Royal Institution

 License: Creative Commons

The Mystery of the Giant Crystals

The Cave of the Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) in the Naica Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico, houses some of the largest natural crystals ever found. They are selenite, a form of the mineral gypsum (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel Garcíia Ruiz and his colleagues investigate the conditions under which these huge crystals have grown over the course of thousands of years. The temperatures in the subterranean caverns are over 50°C, and the caves are filled with water containing a variety of minerals leached from the surrounding rocks.

Duration: 50m 53s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

El Misterio de los Cristales Gigantes

La Cueva de los Cristales en la mina de Naica, Chihuahua, México, alberga algunos de los más grandes cristales naturales que se han encontrado. Son selenito, una forma del yeso mineral (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz y sus colegas investigan las condiciones en que estos enormes cristales han crecido a lo largo de miles de años. Las temperaturas en las cavernas subterráneas son más de 50° C, y las cuevas están llenas de agua que contiene una variedad de minerales lixiviados de las rocas circundantes.

Duration: 50m 54s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

Il Mistero dei Cristalli Giganti

La Grotta dei Cristalli (Cueva de los Cristales) nella miniera di Naica, Chihuahua, Messico, ospita alcuni dei più grandi cristalli naturali mai trovati. Si tratta di cristalli di selenite, una particolare forma di gesso (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz e i suoi colleghi indagano sulle condizioni in cui questi enormi cristalli sono cresciuti nel corso di migliaia di anni. La temperatura nelle caverne sotterranee è oltre 50° C, e le grotte sono riempite con acqua contenente una varietà di minerali lisciviati dalle rocce circostanti.

Duration: 50m 58s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

Le Mystère des Cristaux Géants

La Grotte des Cristaux (Cueva de los Cristales) dans la mine de Naica, Chihuahua, Mexique, abrite quelques-uns des plus grands cristaux naturels jamais trouvés. Ils sont sélénite, une forme de gypse minéral (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz et ses collègues enquêtent sur les conditions dans lesquelles ces énormes cristaux ont grandi au cours de milliers d'années. Les températures dans les cavernes souterraines sont plus de 50° C, et les grottes sont remplis avec de l'eau contenant une variété de minéraux lessivés des roches environnantes.

Duration: 50m 58s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

EF-Tu delivers aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome

The result of studies of molecules of biochemical importance using X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy is usually one or several 3D snapshots of the molecule of interest. However, one can learn much more about an enzyme’s mechanism of action by determining many structures along its functional pathway, in various conformational states or various ligands. These many snapshots can placed in order and when viewed quickly form a movie, like a children’s flip-book. This example, created by Martin Schmeing and Rebecca Voorhees of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, illustrates the decoding step of protein synthesis by the ribosome.

Category: Science & Technology. Duration: 1m 39s
Licence: Standard YouTube Licence

Dorothy Hodgkin, Biochemist

In a series of conversations with Guy Dodson recorded in 1990, the British pioneer of X-ray crystallography, Dorothy Hodgkin (1910-1994), remembers many aspects of her life an work. She is best known for her ground-breaking discovery of the structures of penicillin, insulin and vitamin B12. She was awarded the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and is also known for peace work.

Published: 2008 on the Web of Stories 'Live' channel.
Recorded in 1990.
Duration: 41 clips, each a few minutes in length