Methods and apparatus for performing array microcrystallizations

US6296673A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Bernard D. Santarsiero · San Diego, US
• Raymond C. Stevens · Village of La Jolla, US
• Peter G. Shultz · Village of La Jolla, US
• Joseph M. Jaklevic · Lafayette, US
• Derek T. Yegian · Oakland, US
• Earl Cornell · Antioch, US
• Robert Nordmeyer · Calabasas, US
• Jian Jin · Perry, US
• William F. Kolbe · Moraga, US
• Arthur L. Jones · Albany, US
• Donald C. Uber · Pleasant Hill, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 2, 2001
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/25
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is provided for performing array microcrystallizations to determine suitable crystallization conditions for a molecule. The method comprises forming an array of microcrystallizations, each microcrystallization comprising a drop containing a molecule to be crystallized, the drop having a volume of less than 1 .mu.L; storing the array of microcrystallizations under conditions suitable for molecule crystals to form in the drops in the array; and detecting molecule crystal formation in the drops.