Tray for macromolecule crystallization and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A method of forming macromolecular crystals, comprising the steps of:
- providing a macromolecule crystallization tray including a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell including a reservoir adapted to receive a equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir and adapted for use as at least one of a sample drop holding area and a temporary cryogenic holding area for a crystallized substance, and a sample drop receptacle within the shelf and adapted to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance;
dispensing a equilibrating solution in the reservoirs;
dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop receptacles;
coveting the cells with a cover; and
crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A crystallization tray includes a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell having a reservoir adapted to receive an equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir and adapted for use as a temporary cryogenic holding area for a crystallized substance and/or a sample holding area, and a sample drop receptacle carried by the shelf and adapted to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance. A related method for forming macromolecular crystals includes dispensing an equilibrating solution in the reservoirs, dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop receptacles, covering the cells with a cover; and crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of forming macromolecular crystals, comprising the steps of:
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providing a macromolecule crystallization tray including a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell including a reservoir adapted to receive a equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir and adapted for use as at least one of a sample drop holding area and a temporary cryogenic holding area for a crystallized substance, and a sample drop receptacle within the shelf and adapted to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance;
dispensing a equilibrating solution in the reservoirs;
dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop receptacles;
coveting the cells with a cover; and
crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of forming macromolecular crystals, comprising the steps of:
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providing a macromolecule crystallization tray including four corners and a plurality of rectangular crystallization cells, each cell including a reservoir adapted to receive a equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir, at least one sample drop area carried by the shelf to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance, each cell including a left side and a right side when the tray is in front of the user and the user is looking down at the tray, each shelf located on the left side of the cell, only one of the four corners having a unique configuration to mark the location of a first cell of the plurality of cells and a standard orientation for the tray, the tray further including a top wall, a ridge extending upwardly from the top wall and delineating each cell, the ridge adapted to support a cover spaced from and parallel to the top wall for isolating each cell from ambient and from each other, orienting the tray so that the corner having a unique configuration is in an upper left hand corner of the tray;
dispensing a equilibrating solution in the reservoirs;
dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop areas;
covering the cells with a cover so that the cover is spaced from and parallel to the top wall and isolates each cell from ambient and from each other; and
crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
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22. A method of forming macromolecular crystals, comprising the steps of:
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providing a macromolecule crystallization tray including a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell including a reservoir adapted to receive a equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir, at least one sample drop area carried by the shelf to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance, each cell including a left side and a right side when the tray is in front of the user and the user is looking down at the tray, each shelf located on the left side of the cell, the fray further including a top wall, a ridge extending upwardly from the top wall and delineating each cell, the ridge adapted to support a cover spaced from and parallel to the top wall for isolating each cell from ambient and from each other, dispensing a equilibrating solution in the reservoirs;
dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop areas;
covering the cells with a cover so that the cover is spaced from and parallel to the top wall and isolates each cell from ambient and from each other; and
crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
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Specification