is to be smart enough to be able to do it, but not smart enough to realize it will probably fail.
(click and rotate – slowly scroll up to zoom in)
Professor McBride from Yale University discusses Rosalind Franklin’s DNA pattern, real and reciprocal space, electrons in a crystal lattice and difference maps. I really like how he used an overhead projector to show how waves and planes can interact within a crystal.
occurs in the shower, right before you fall asleep, on a long walk or drive. The drift results in a new idea to a problem that you have been extremely focused on. The idea itself could be called an epiphany. The idea that results from drifting occurs not in the moment that you are struggling, but when you are relaxed.
The key is too remained focused on what matters, which is easier said than done. For example, writing grants certainly takes time, but it also influences our ability to drift. As we focus on grant writing our thoughts naturally move toward it whether it is considering where to apply, possible collaborations or experimental design.
If you are at a point when writing a grant is critical then hopefully you will drift toward it. However, it is easy to become distracted. For example, having a grant rejected can result in two difficult situations. First, the application has been rejected and second (and more importantly), it is easy to dwell on negative comments and not focus on solutions. Unfortunately, if your focus is on the ‘unproductive’ then you will drift in that direction.
So the next time you drift, you may want to be aware if what you are thinking about is productive.
Bernard has made a couple of his figures from his book “Biomolecular Crystallography” available on the CCP4 wiki. I have been reading through his new book and have been really impressed! The images are related to electron density and touch on the following examples:
Gotta love those Fourier truncation ripples 
and tools aren’t usually obvious. Science is often difficult and complicated, but perhaps there is room on the low end. What if your research looked to simplify instead of complicate?
Such as…
Insert Batteries Any Way You Like
Stand-up toothbrush
And one for the lab – Blue Millipore lids easily break, but did you know they are compatible with pyrex lids?
A common method for tracking protein crystallization experiments is by using a scoring sheet. A scoring sheet allows you to track how a particular condition evolves overtime. If you are looking for a scoring sheet here is a nice compilation.
How about scoring your trays on a computer? I have been resist to scoring (as well as a lab notebook) on a desktop computer due to convenience, a notebook is easy to carry around and its durable compared to electronic equipment.
What about using your phone? A phone is easy to transport and fits in your pocket which can protect it from lab mishaps. My guess is that many scientists already carry their phone around in the lab.
You can now score your trays with an i-phone or Pocket PC and there is also a desktop version. Do you think phones will become a popular method of tracking scientific experiments?
Modeling loops in a protein structure can be quite difficult due to their mobility. A number of questions can arise when building a loop such as if it is known, common or unique? Also how can one search for similar loops from existing structures?
The Protein Geometry Database (PGD) can be helpful in answering these questions (ref). The PGD allows users to search for chains up to 10 residues in length and be refined by composition, conformation (alpha helix, 3-10 helix, etc), mobility (using B factors), bond angles and lengths.
The search thresholds can be adjusted to allow for a lot of flexibility. The database contains structures that are 3 angstroms or better and currently contains about 16,000 protein chains. Finally, if you register for the site your searches can be saved for later viewing.