Microfluidic chips for the crystallization of biomacromolecules by counter-diffusion and on-chip crystal X-ray analysis

Lab Chip. 2009 May 21;9(10):1412-21. doi: 10.1039/b819362b. Epub 2009 Mar 2.

Abstract

Microfluidic devices were designed to perform on micromoles of biological macromolecules and viruses the search and the optimization of crystallization conditions by counter-diffusion, as well as the on-chip analysis of crystals by X-ray diffraction. Chips composed of microchannels were fabricated in poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS), poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and cyclo-olefin-copolymer (COC) by three distinct methods, namely replica casting, laser ablation and hot embossing. The geometry of the channels was chosen to ensure that crystallization occurs in a convection-free environment. The transparency of the materials is compatible with crystal growth monitoring by optical microscopy. The quality of the protein 3D structures derived from on-chip crystal analysis by X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron radiation was used to identify the most appropriate polymers. Altogether the results demonstrate that for a novel biomolecule, all steps from the initial search of crystallization conditions to X-ray diffraction data collection for 3D structure determination can be performed in a single chip.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray / instrumentation*
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / chemistry

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • baysilon
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate