Method for screening crystallization conditions in solution crystal growth
First Claim
1. A method of screening protein crystal growth conditions comprising:
- dispensing a protein solution into protein solution microchambers of a microarray and separately dispensing precipitate solutions into precipitate solution microchambers of said microarray, said microchambers having a volume from about 0.001 nl to about 500 nl;
allowing liquid-liquid communication between protein solution microchambers and precipitate solution microchambers; and
observing said microchambers for protein crystal growth or protein precipitation.
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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 microchambers 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. For example, crystallization can be effected by a precipitate solution and/or placing an oil barrier over the protein solution. Protein crystal growth in the micro-chambers is then observed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of screening protein crystal growth conditions comprising:
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dispensing a protein solution into protein solution microchambers of a microarray and separately dispensing precipitate solutions into precipitate solution microchambers of said microarray, said microchambers having a volume from about 0.001 nl to about 500 nl; allowing liquid-liquid communication between protein solution microchambers and precipitate solution microchambers; and observing said microchambers for protein crystal growth or protein precipitation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14)
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10. A method of screening protein crystal growth conditions comprising:
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transferring samples comprising a volume from about 0.001 nl to about 500 nl of a protein solution into microchambers in a platform; providing a precipitate solution that is in liquid-liquid communication with the protein solution; controlling the protein crystal growth conditions of the samples; and
observing a protein precipitate or protein crystals in the microchambers. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification