Final answer:
To solve a protein's structure with X-ray crystallography, one must analyze the X-ray diffraction patterns to determine the atomic coordinates and build a 3D model of the protein, using databases and computer software for interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve the structure of a protein using X-ray crystallography, you would need to interpret the diffraction patterns generated when X-rays are passed through a crystallized protein. The data sets required are the three-dimensional coordinates of the protein's atoms obtained from the X-ray diffraction pattern, which are often available from databases like the RCSB Protein Data Bank. Then, by applying mathematical algorithms and using computer software, researchers can construct a detailed model of the protein's structure.
Understanding the protein's three-dimensional structure is crucial, as it gives insights into how the protein functions and interacts with other molecules. Techniques like mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can also provide complementary information on protein sequences and structures. In addition to these experimental methods, protein microarrays and computational modeling are often used to analyze protein-protein interactions and predict the behavior of proteins in a system.