Microfluidic protein crystallography
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a microfluidic flow channel network formed in a first elastomer layer, the microfluidic flow channel network comprising a first set of inlet branches in fluid communication with a junction and with a reagent source, a second set of inlet branches in fluid communication with the junction and with a buffer source, and a mixing structure in fluid communication with the junction and with an outlet;
a first control channel network formed in a second elastomer layer adjacent to the first elastomer layer, the first control channel network adjacent to the first inlet branch set to define a first multiplexer structure configured to flow a select reagent into the junction; and
a second control channel network formed in the second elastomer layer, the second control channel network adjacent to the second inlet branch set to define a second multiplexer structure configured to flow a select buffer into the junction.
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Abstract
The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a microfluidic flow channel network formed in a first elastomer layer, the microfluidic flow channel network comprising a first set of inlet branches in fluid communication with a junction and with a reagent source, a second set of inlet branches in fluid communication with the junction and with a buffer source, and a mixing structure in fluid communication with the junction and with an outlet; a first control channel network formed in a second elastomer layer adjacent to the first elastomer layer, the first control channel network adjacent to the first inlet branch set to define a first multiplexer structure configured to flow a select reagent into the junction; and a second control channel network formed in the second elastomer layer, the second control channel network adjacent to the second inlet branch set to define a second multiplexer structure configured to flow a select buffer into the junction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification