CRYSTALLOGENESIS OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES - BIOLOGICAL, MICROGRAVITY AND OTHER PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

After an historical introduction and justification of the importance o f proteins (as well as other macromolecules or macromolecular assembli es of biological origin) in modern biology but also in physics, this r eview presents the state of the field of macromolecular crystallogenes is. The basic questions underlying the crystallization of macromolecul es will be addressed and discussed in a first part. The still unsolved problems are highlighted. This section also discusses the methodologi cal approaches that can be used. In the second part, some of the recen t achievements in the field are presented. We show how physical method s have contributed to a deeper understanding of protein crystallizatio n. Emphasis is given to the parameter microgravity, since the projects concerning crystallizations in this environment have stimulated the p hysico-chemical research in the field. Finally, the future perspective s are outlined.