Lysozyme crystal growth studied by atomic force microscopy

We have used atomic force microscopy to observe growing crystals of the protein lysozyme in their mother liquor. The images of the crystal surface show the time course of nucleation, spreading, and merging of two-dimensional islands to form successive layers of the crystal. Step velocities and two-dimensional nucleation rates were obtained. The formation of large macrosteps appears to be common on crystals growing at relatively low...