Laser confocal microscopy combined with differential interference contrast microscopy (LCM-DIM) has emerged as one of the most powerful mesoscopic techniques for in situ observation of the protein crystal-liquid interface. We employ this technique to visualize non-invasively the surface topography of protein crystals that are in non-equilibrium with the surrounding mother liquor. From snapshots of growing crystals the dominating growth mechanisms are determined. Subsequent time-lapse imaging of a single observation area is then used for the study of growth and/or dissolution dynamics in response to the system's super/undersaturation. From the kinetics of elementary steps growing from high purity solutions, fundamental kinetics coefficients are determined. These measurements then serve as a benchmark for further studies of crystal growth kinetics in impure conditions. Two topics in particular will be highlighted. First, the concept of time-dependent impurity uptake will be discussed. Different growth mechanisms expose the crystal surface to the surrounding bulk liquid with varying characteristic times, coined the terrace exposure times. The ratio of the terrace exposure time with the characteristic time for impurity adsorption onto the crystal surface is put forward as an intrinsic constant that governs impurity incorporation. This model is then applied to the two main crystal growth mechanisms, i.e. spiral dislocations and two-dimensional nucleation, and differences will be commented upon. 

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