Microfabricated two-pin system for biomolecule crystallization
AssigneeTeragenics, Inc.
InventorsJohn Gilbert, Jaishree Trikha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A two-pin liquid handling system for crystallizing biomolecules comprises a pair of interacting pins for holding a droplet of liquid therebetween. Each pin includes a tip spaced predetermined distance from the other pin to define a sample acquisition region. The two-pin liquid handling system includes a temperature and humidity control element for controlling the temperature of the sample acquisition region to cause transpiration of water to and from a droplet of biomolecule solution to promote crystallization of the biomolecule.
Claims69
A system for crystallizing biomolecules comprising:
- a holder;
- a first pin coupled to the holder and having a first tip;
- a second pin coupled to the holder and having a second tip spaced a predetermined separation distance from the first tip;
- and
- a temperature control element for controlling the temperature of said first and second pin to promote crystallization of a biomolecule held between the first and second pin.
A system for crystallizing biomolecules comprising:
- a holder;
- a first pin coupled to the holder and having a first tip;
- and
- a second pin coupled to the holder and having a second tip spaced a predetermined separation distance from the first tip, wherein the first tip and the second tip are shaped to promote biomolecule crystallization.
A liquid handling system, comprising:
- a pin-type liquid handling assembly comprising a plurality of components;
- and
- a temperature control element for controlling the temperature one of said components of the pin-type liquid dispensing assembly, whereby a temperature of a liquid to be handled by the pin-type liquid dispensing assembly is controlled so as to control evaporation.
A method for crystallizing biomolecules, comprising the steps of:
- providing a liquid handling assembly comprising at least one pin;
- acquiring a droplet of a, biomolecule solution on the liquid carrying element;
- transpiring water between the biomolecule solution and the environment to concentrate the biomolecule, thereby causing crystallization of the biomolecule to occur.
A method of crystallizing biomolecules, comprising:
- providing a crystallizing structure for growing a crystal from a biomolecule solution;
- forming a biomolecule crystal on the structure;
- and
- freezing the crystal on the structure.
A method of crystallizing a biomolecule comprising
- providing a crystallizing structure for growing a crystal from a biomolecule solution;
- forming a biomolecule crystal on the structure under a set of crystallization conditions;
- and
- observing the crystal on the structure.
A system for crystallizing biomolecules, comprising:
- an array of wells containing a supply of biomolecule solution;
- an array of biomolecule crystallization devices , wherein each biomolecule crystallization devices comprises a first pin having a first tip and a second pin having a second tip spaced from the first tip to define a sample acquisition region.
A system for crystallizing biomolecules, comprising:
- an array of wells containing a supply of biomolecule solution;
- and
- an array of biomolecule crystallization cavity devices, wherein each biomolecule crystallization cavity device includes a cavity that can pick up between about 0.1 and about 50ηl of biomolecule solution for crystallization of the biomolecule solution in the cavity.
A method of determining optimal conditions for promoting crystallization of a biomolecule, comprising:
- providing an array of devices for crystallizing biomolecules, wherein each device comprises two interacting pins for holding a sample therebetween;
- forming an array of crystals in the devices by controlling crystallization conditions;
- recording the crystallization conditions;
- and
- observing the array of crystals formed in the devices.
A system for crystallizing a biomolecule, comprising:
- a pin assembly for handling the biomolecules, and
- a temperature control element coupled to the pin assembly for controlling the temperature of said pin assembly to promote crystallization of a biomolecule.
A method for crystallizing a biomolecule, comprising:
- providing a pin assembly for handling the biomolecules, and
- controlling the temperature of said pin assembly to promote crystallization of a biomolecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.