Data archiving and availability in an era of open science

The importance of preserving and making available the original experimental data underlying biological structural models is discussed, both for crystallography, where the raw data images pose particular challenges, and for other structure determination techniques.

Sharing Big Data

Macromolecular Big Data provide numerous challenges and a number of initiatives that are starting to overcome these issues are discussed.

Speeding up enzyme engineering computationally

Can in silico engineering speed up the delivery of biocatalysts for the burgeoning bioeconomy? In this issue, Kamerlin and coworkers introduce CADEE [Amrein et al. (2017), IUCrJ, 4, 50–64] – a framework for Computer-Aided Directed Evolution of Enzymes – that promises to lessen the burden on `wet lab' enzymologists when optimizing biocatalysts using laboratory-based directed evolution methods.

Mutation of Tyr137 of the universal Escherichia coli fimbrial adhesin FimH relaxes the tyrosine gate prior to mannose binding

The role of the two tryrosine gating residues in the binding affinity of FimH for substituted mannosides is investigated using a combination of mutagenesis, X-ray crystallography, affinity measurements and molecular simulation. In contrast to the Y48A mutation, it is clearly shown that the Y137A mutation relaxes the binding site prematurely, whereby the stringent selectivity of the FimH lectin for mannose is disrupted and the binding affinity decreases.

Orientational order of liquids and glasses via fluctuation diffraction

We present a new method of extracting distributions of orientational order, like bond angles, from fluctuation diffraction data. It has potential applications to study of liquids, glasses and other systems that lack long-range order.

A heuristic approach to evaluate peri interactions versus intermolecular interactions in an overcrowded naphthalene

An electron density study on sterically overcrowded octachloronaphthalene is performed using an extensive combination of high-resolution single crystal X-ray diffraction and ab initio single-point and periodic DFT calculations. The unusual asymmetry in the crystalline geometry as opposed to symmetric solvated phase geometry is investigated and the role of steric forces, contributed primarily by the peri interactions in imparting unique `localized double bond' character in the naphthalene ring, is rationalized.

CADEE: Computer-Aided Directed Evolution of Enzymes

A new computational tool, CADEE (Computer-Aided Directed Evolution of Enzymes), is presented.

Curved crystal morphology, photoreactivity and photosalient behaviour of mononuclear Zn(II) complexes

Solid-state [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactivity, mechanical motion during cycloaddition reaction under UV light and naturally curved single crystals are reported in structurally similar mononuclear Zn(II) coordination complexes containing fluoro derivatives of 4-styryl pyridine ligands.

Fifteen years of the Protein Crystallography Station: the coming of age of macromolecular neutron crystallography

This article highlights scientific and technical contributions from the Protein Crystallography Station at Los Alamos, the first purpose-built macromolecular crystallography station at a spallation neutron source.

Raw diffraction data preservation and reuse: overview, update on practicalities and metadata requirements

There are rapid developments in storage options for the preservation and reuse of raw data within the scientific domain of the IUCr and its Commissions, each of which operates within a great diversity of instrumentation. Formulation of improved metadata descriptors for the raw data is under way. Science policy makers strive towards an `Open Science' model within which crystallographers will increasingly work in the future. Case studies are described that show the community's progress.