Crystallization of DNA fragments from water-salt solutions, containing 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol

Abstract
Fragments of calf thymus DNA have been crystallized by precipitation from water-salt solutions, containing 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol (MPD). DNA crystals usually take the form either of spherulites up to 100 μ in diameter or of needles with the length up to 50 μ. No irreversible denaturation of DNA occurs during the crystallization process. X-ray diffraction from dense slurries of DNA crystals yields crystalline powder patterns.