Capture and X-ray diffraction studies of protein microcrystals in a microfluidic trap array.

ABSTRACT: X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) promise to enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from samples that are refractory to data collection at synchrotron sources. At present, however, more efficient sample-delivery methods that minimize the consumption of microcrystalline material are needed to allow the application of XFEL sources to a wide range of challenging structural targets of biological importance. Here, a microfluidic chip is presented in which microcrystals can be captured at fixed, addressable points in a trap array from a small volume (<10 µl) of a pre-existing slurry grown off-chip. The device can be mounted on a standard goniostat for conducting diffraction experiments at room temperature without the need for flash-cooling. Proof-of-principle tests with a model

SUBMITTER: Lyubimov AY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4388268 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature