Organic biocrystals play crucial roles in biological processes and diseases, yet the molecular mechanisms of their formation remain poorly understood. Here, the authors reveal that hematin crystal nucleation in malaria parasites follows a nonclassical pathway and can be modulated by solute-modifier interactions, offering a strategy to control crystal formation in a variety of systems, including for malaria treatment.
- Wenchuan Ma
- Lakshmanji Verma
- Peter G. Vekilov
