The automation of protein crystal presentation for X ray diffraction experiments using standing acoustic waves in a microfluidic chip environment

C. Burton, P. Docker, M. Prince, M. Leaper, R. Morris, M. Newton, J. Kay, D. Stuart, G. Evans

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

As the pressure continues to grow on Diamond and the world's synchrotrons for higher throughput of diffraction experiments, new and novel techniques are required for presenting micron dimension crystals to the X ray beam. Currently this task is both labour intensive and primarily a serial process. Diffraction measurements typically take milliseconds but sample preparation and presentation can reduce throughput down to 4 measurements an hour. With beamline waiting times as long as two years it is of key importance for researchers to capitalize on available beam time, generating as much data as possible. Other approaches detailed in the literature [1] [2] [3] are very much skewed towards automating, with robotics, the actions of a human protocols. The work detailed here is the development and discussion of a bottom up approach relying on SSAW self assembly, including material selection, microfluidic integration and tuning of the acoustic cavity to order the protein crystals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvanced manufacturing, electronics and microsystems
Editors NSTI
PublisherCRC Press
Pages327-330
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)978-1-49874730-1
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2015
Event10th Annual TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, held jointly with the 18th Annual Nanotech Conference and Expo, and the 2015 National SBIR/STTR Conference - Washington, United States
Duration: 14 Jun 201517 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameTechConnect Briefs 2015
PublisherCRC Press
Volume4

Conference

Conference10th Annual TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, held jointly with the 18th Annual Nanotech Conference and Expo, and the 2015 National SBIR/STTR Conference
Abbreviated titleTechConnect 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington
Period14/06/1517/06/15

Keywords

  • micro fluidics
  • protein crystallography
  • standing acoustic waves
  • X-ray diffraction

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