Method of electrowetting droplet operations for protein crystallization
First Claim
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1. A method of providing an array of crystallization conditions, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising substrates arranged to form a gap, wherein;
(i) the gap comprises;
(1) sample comprising a protein analyte in a concentration suitable for preparing a protein crystallization array;
(2) reagents comprising crystallization reagents; and
(3) an oil filler fluid comprising a surfactant in an amount selected to enhance droplet operations using the sample; and
(ii) one or more of the substrates comprise electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations in the gap by electrowetting using;
(1) sample droplets comprising aliquots of the sample; and
(2) reagent droplets comprising aliquots of the reagents; and
(b) providing a processor;
(c) using the processor to control the electrodes to conduct the droplet operations comprising;
(i) dispensing sample droplets from the sample and reagent droplets from the reagents, wherein the dispensing comprises aliquoting a volume of;
(1) sample into smaller sample droplets; and
(2) reagents into smaller reagent droplets;
(ii) transporting the sample droplets and reagent droplets; and
(iii) merging sample droplets with reagent droplets;
to yield an array of crystallization conditions.
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Abstract
Methods of using protein crystallization droplet actuators are provided. Protein sample droplets and reagent droplets are dispensed, transported, and merged to yield an array of crystallization conditions by electrowetting droplet operations in a gap comprising oil filler fluid. The oil filler fluid is doped with a surfactant that enhances droplet operations using the protein sample.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of providing an array of crystallization conditions, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a droplet actuator comprising substrates arranged to form a gap, wherein; (i) the gap comprises; (1) sample comprising a protein analyte in a concentration suitable for preparing a protein crystallization array; (2) reagents comprising crystallization reagents; and (3) an oil filler fluid comprising a surfactant in an amount selected to enhance droplet operations using the sample; and (ii) one or more of the substrates comprise electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations in the gap by electrowetting using; (1) sample droplets comprising aliquots of the sample; and (2) reagent droplets comprising aliquots of the reagents; and (b) providing a processor; (c) using the processor to control the electrodes to conduct the droplet operations comprising; (i) dispensing sample droplets from the sample and reagent droplets from the reagents, wherein the dispensing comprises aliquoting a volume of; (1) sample into smaller sample droplets; and (2) reagents into smaller reagent droplets; (ii) transporting the sample droplets and reagent droplets; and (iii) merging sample droplets with reagent droplets; to yield an array of crystallization conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification