Temperature Control of Protein Crystal Nucleation

Resumo

A technique of temperature-controlled biocrystal nucleation, at which the growth onset of one crystal suppresses the development of other nuclei, is proposed. This is obtained by decreasing gradually the temperature at the point of expected growth at a rate sufficiently low to equalize the protein concentration (under conditions where material is captured by growing crystal) via diffusive and convective processes. An individual growth of lysozyme single crystals in a capillary is demonstrated.