Cryo crystallography enables X-ray data collection at cryogenic temperatures, typically 100 K.
*Crystals are transferred from the solution they have grown in (called mother liquor) to a solution with a cryo-protectant to prevent ice formation.
*Crystals are mounted in a glass fiber (as opposed to a capillary.)
*Crystals are cooled by dipping directly into liquid nitrogen and then placed in a cryo cold stream.
*Cryo cooled macromolecular crystals show reduced radiation damage by more than 70 times that at room temperature.