Linus Pauling called haemoglobin the most interesting and important of molecules. This important volume shows how X-ray crystallography was used to determine its bewilderingly complex atomic structure and to unravel the stereochemical mechanisms of its respiratory functions. It introduces isomorphous replacement with heavy atoms which led to the first protein structures, haemoglobin and its simpler relative myoglobin. Later papers deal with the stereochemistry of the cooperative effects of haemoglobin, with the relationships between the structures and impaired functions of abnormal haemoglobin, with species adaptation of haemoglobin, and with its action as a drug receptor and as an oxygen sensor. The final papers deal with amino acid repeats which act as polar zippers and their role in certain inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Contents:Diffraction Without Tears: A Pictorial Introduction to X-Ray Analysis of Crystal StructuresEarly StudiesSolution of the Phase ProblemFrom the First Molecular Model to the Allosteric MechanismThe Haemoglobin BattlesMolecular Pathology of Human HaemoglobinHaemoglobin as a Drug ReceptorSpecies Adaptations in HaemoglobinEarly Shots at the Folding and Unfolding ProblemsPresent Work: Polar Zippers and Neurodegenerative DiseaseHaemoglobin as an Oxygen Sensor that Regulates Expression of Nitrogenase GenesGlaciers Readership: Biochemists, chemists, medical researchers and molecular biologists. keywords:Haemoglobin;Linus Pauling;Biochemistry;Molecular Biology “Max Perutz does for haemoglobin in this book what Primo Levi did for the Periodic Table … The book is far from dry, however, Perutz beginning each chapter with fascinating historical and anecdotal background.” Chemistry in Britain “Perutz is an engaging writer, and this holds not only for his commentaries but even for his original research papers. There is much to learn from him, and this volume is an excellent teaching aid, for both the newcomer and the accomplished scientist.” The Chemical Intelligencer