Microfabricated two-pin system for biomolecule crystallization
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.
1 . 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.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
observing the crystal on the structure.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystallizing structure comprises a first pin having a first tip and a second pin having a second tip spaced a predetermined separation distance from the first tip for holding the biomolecule solution therebetween.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the crystallizing structure includes a temperature control element for controlling the temperature of the biomolecule solution to promote formation of the biomolecule crystal.
5 . 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.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of altering the crystallization conditions in response to the step of observing.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of altering comprising varying the temperature of the crystallizing structure.
8 . 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.