= B. Shaanan
{c}
\b[<B. Shaanan>] determined a human <oxyhemoglobin> structure by single-crystal <X-ray crystallography> in a 1983 paper bearing that exact single-author byline. The experiment used an Arndt–Wonacott camera at $-2\,{}^{\circ}\mathrm C$ and reported a resolution of $2.1\,\mathrm{\mathring A}$.<Structure of human oxyhaemoglobin at 2.1 A resolution by B. Shaanan>[Byline; Abstract, diffraction apparatus and resolution]{ref} It supplied an experimental arrangement against which molecular explanations of <hemoglobin> oxygen binding could be tested.
The paper distinguished the local environments in the <alpha-globin> and <beta-globin> subunits and specified <iron> positions relative to defined <porphyrin> planes. Shaanan also coauthored the later <deoxyhemoglobin> study with <G. Fermi>, <Max Perutz> and <R. Fourme>.<The crystal structure of human deoxyhaemoglobin at 1.74 A resolution by G. Fermi and others>[Primary byline]{ref} Comparing the two ligation states requires consistent geometric definitions; distances from different reference planes are different observables.
An original plane-fitting example makes that distinction concrete. A point at coordinate $z=0.30$ angstrom is 0.30 angstrom from the plane $z=0$, but only 0.10 angstrom from the parallel plane $z=0.20$ angstrom. The atom has not moved. Changing the atoms used to define a fitted plane can change a reported displacement.
For a unit normal $\boldsymbol n$ and point $\boldsymbol p$ on a reference plane, signed distance from position $\boldsymbol r$ is
$$
d=\boldsymbol n\cdot(\boldsymbol r-\boldsymbol p).
$$
Reversing the normal reverses the sign; translating both the model and its plane by the same vector leaves $d$ unchanged. These are geometric checks for interpreting a structural comparison, not additional measurements from the paper.
The value of the structural work is therefore more specific than an image of a protein: it turns questions about oxygen-binding geometry into quantities with stated reference conventions and experimental support. The published initials are retained rather than assuming a full identity from a similarly named crystallographer.
Back to article page
