Simulation of lysozyme crystal growth by the Monte Carlo method

The main features of the observed crystal growth of the protein lysozyme are reproduced by Monte Carlo simulations based on a simple model. The free parameters of the model are the strengths of the three main types of protein-protein contacts occurring in the P43212 lattice of the tetragonal form of lysozyme and the equilibrium rate of attachment of molecules to lattice sites. The simulated crystal surfaces, like the actual surfaces observed by...