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X-ray crystallography is Venki Ramakrishnan's primary research technique. This technique involves firing X-rays at a crystallised sample to determine the arrangement of atoms within the crystal. By analysing the resulting diffraction patterns, scientists can deduce the structure of the molecule or protein being studied. Ramakrishnan has used X-ray crystallography to determine the structures of several important biological molecules, including the ribosome, which is responsible for protein synthesis.