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Method of electrowetting droplet operations for protein crystallization

  • US 7,763,471 B2
  • Filed: 08/16/2007
  • Issued: 07/27/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
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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