Method for screening crystallization conditions in solution crystal growth

• US 20070026528A1
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Delucas
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Delucas
• Inventors: DeLucas, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US11/542,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20070026528A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/86
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/68 involving proteins, peptides or amino acids involving lipoproteins G01N33/92

Abstract

A method of screening protein crystal growth conditions with picogram to microgram amounts of protein in picoliter or nanoliter volumes is provided. A preferred method comprises a microarray with a plurality of micro-chambers in the microarray. A protein solution is placed into the micro-chambers by an automated dispensing mechanism. The protein crystal growth conditions of each of the micro-chambers is adjusted so that the protein crystal growth conditions in at least two of the micro-chambers differs. Crystallization of the protein solution in the micro-chambers is effected. Protein crystal growth in the micro-chambers is then observed.

Claims

1-387. -387. (canceled)

388. A method for performing crystallization experiments for a molecule, the method comprising:

conducting greater than 48 different crystallization experiments for a molecule where the different crystallization experiments are housed in a single crystallization experiment device and the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 1 microliter.

389. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 750 nanoliters.

390. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 500 nanoliters.

391. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 250 nanoliters.

392. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 25 nanoliters.

393. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 20 nanoliters.

394. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 15 nanoliters.

395. A method according to claim 388, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a macromolecule.

396. A method according to claim 388, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a protein.

397. A method according to claim 388, wherein the molecule being crystallized has a molecular weight of at least 500 daltons.

398. A method according to claim 388, wherein the crystallization volumes comprise a molecule to be crystallized and a composition that varies among the plurality of crystallization experiments.

399. A method according to claim 388, wherein greater than 96 different crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

400. A method according to claim 388, wherein greater than 144 different crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

401. A method according to claim 388, wherein greater than 192 different crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

402. A method for performing crystallization experiments for a molecule, the method comprising:

conducting greater than 48 different sitting drop crystallization experiments for a molecule where the different crystallization experiments are housed in a single crystallization experiment device and the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 1 microliter.

403. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 750 nanoliters.

404. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 500 nanoliters.

405. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 250 nanoliters.

406. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 25 nanoliters.

407. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 20 nanoliters.

408. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 15 nanoliters.

409. A method according to claim 402, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a macromolecule.

410. A method according to claim 402, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a protein.

411. A method according to claim 402, wherein the molecule being crystallized has a molecular weight of at least 500 daltons.

412. A method according to claim 402, wherein the crystallization volumes comprise a molecule to be crystallized and a composition that varies among the plurality of crystallization experiments.

413. A method according to claim 402, wherein greater than 96 different sitting drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

414. A method according to claim 402, wherein greater than 144 different sitting drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

415. A method according to claim 402, wherein greater than 192 different sitting drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

416. A method for performing crystallization experiments for a molecule, the method comprising:

conducting greater than 48 different hanging drop crystallization experiments for a molecule where the different crystallization experiments are housed in a single crystallization experiment device and the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 1 microliter.

417. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 750 nanoliters.

418. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 500 nanoliters.

419. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volume of each crystallization experiment is less than 250 nanoliters.

420. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 25 nanoliters.

421. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 20 nanoliters.

422. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volumes are within a volume range of less than about 15 nanoliters.

423. A method according to claim 416, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a macromolecule.

424. A method according to claim 416, wherein the molecule being crystallized is a protein.

425. A method according to claim 416, wherein the molecule being crystallized has a molecular weight of at least 500 daltons.

426. A method according to claim 416, wherein the crystallization volumes comprise a molecule to be crystallized and a composition that varies among the plurality of crystallization experiments.

427. A method according to claim 416, wherein greater than 96 different hanging drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

428. A method according to claim 416, wherein greater than 144 different hanging drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.

429. A method according to claim 416, wherein greater than 192 different hanging drop crystallization experiments are conducted in a single crystallization experiment device.