To gain further understanding of PPAR delta biology, the protein (PPAR delta), and the ligand, Merck compound L-165,041, were first cocrystallized and then x-ray crystallography was used to visualize the structure.
The crystallography experiment commenced by diffracting microscopic protein crystals with a beam of X-ray photons that were collected on a charged coupled-device. It was necessary to use a beam of photons that was extremely powerful that can only be produced at synchrotron facilities such as the Advanced Light Source at the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory.
Various computer programs were used to refine, integrate, and scale the diffraction data and to calculate a 2.5 Å resolution electron density map of the crystal lattice.