Mesoporous glass as nucleant for macromolecule crystallisation

A method of facilitating the crystallization of a macromolecule comprising:

• (a) adding to a crystallization sample a mesoporous glass nucleant of a composition selected from the group consisting of SiO2, CaO—P2O5—SiO2 and Na2O—CaO—P2O5—SiO2 or combinations thereof;
• (b) wherein each of the Ca, P, Si or Na atoms within the compositions may be substituted with a suitable atom chosen from the group consisting of B, Al, Ti, Mg, and K;
• and
• (c) wherein, optionally, the composition may also include elements having an atomic number over 20 to enhance X-ray diffraction contrast.

A kit of parts comprising:

• (a) a crystallization agent;
• (b) a mesoporous glass nucleant of a composition selected from the group consisting of SiO2, CaO—P2O5—SiO2 and Na2O—CaO—P2O5—SiO2 or combinations thereof, wherein each of the Ca, P, Si or Na atoms within the compositions may be substituted with a suitable atom chosen from the group consisting of B, Al, Ti, Mg, and K;
• and wherein, optionally, the composition may also include elements having an atomic number over 20 to enhance X-ray diffraction contrast;
• and
• (c) A site suitable for crystallizing a macromolecule selected from the group consisting of a chamber, a fibre, film and a mesh, wherein said chamber, fibre, film or mesh comprises said mesoporous glass.