Apparatus for crystal growth and crystal growth method employing the same
US6174365A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T117/1024
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Provided are an apparatus and a method which can accelerate crystallization of a biological macromolecule such as protein. A plurality of solution storage parts are formed on a silicon substrate whose valence electrons are controlled by controlling the concentration and/or the type of impurity. These solution storage parts are connected with each other by passages. The storage part is made to hold a buffer solution containing molecules of protein or the like to be crystallized. The storage parts are also made to hold solutions capable of accelerating crystallization of protein or the like respectively. These solutions are shifted to the solution storage part through the passages for preparing a mixed solution in a different ratio in each storage part. Thus, different conditions for crystallization can be simultaneously formed in a short time with a small amount of sample. A crystal of protein or the like is grown in the storage part holding the mixed solution. Growth of the crystal is controlled by the electric properties which are brought to the silicon substrate surface by the valence electron control
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.