Microfluidic protein crystallography techniques
First Claim
1. A crystal growth method comprising:
- disposing a solution including a solvent and containing a crystal source material in a first chamber defined by an elastomer structure;
disposing a crystallizing agent in a second chamber defined by the elastomer structure;
disposing a material in a well defined by the elastomer structure adjacent to and separated from the first and second chambers by an elastomer membrane; and
placing the first and second chambers in fluid communication to alter a solubility of the crystal source material, such that a presence of the material affects formation of a crystal from the crystal source material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A crystal growth method comprising:
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disposing a solution including a solvent and containing a crystal source material in a first chamber defined by an elastomer structure; disposing a crystallizing agent in a second chamber defined by the elastomer structure;
disposing a material in a well defined by the elastomer structure adjacent to and separated from the first and second chambers by an elastomer membrane; andplacing the first and second chambers in fluid communication to alter a solubility of the crystal source material, such that a presence of the material affects formation of a crystal from the crystal source material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for forming crystals, the apparatus comprising:
an elastomer structure defining a first chamber in selective fluid communication with a second chamber, the first chamber configured to contain a solution containing a crystal material dissolved in a solvent, and the second chamber configured to contain a crystallizing agent, the first and second chambers separated from an adjacent well by a thin elastomer membrane. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus for extracting a crystal from an elastomer microfluidic device, the apparatus comprising:
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an enclosure; a piston slidable within the enclosure and comprising an ejector portion having pins moveable relative to a blade portion having blades; a loose spring positioned between the blade portion and the enclosure and configured to bias the piston; and a tight spring positioned between the blade portion and the ejector portion and configured to bias the ejector portion relative to the blade portion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification