A System and a Method for Resolving a Crystal Structure of a Crystal at Atomic Resolution by Collecting X-Ray Diffraction Images

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This invention describes an automated system and method for determining the atomic structure of crystals (such as proteins) by collecting X-ray diffraction images using a novel setup. The method involves suspending tiny droplets containing crystals in mid-air using an ultrasonic acoustic levitator, then subjecting them to X-rays while monitoring and capturing high-speed diffraction data. This process allows rapid, non-freezing, and highly efficient analysis of fragile or difficult crystals, providing detailed atomic-resolution structural information.

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• High-throughput protein crystallography for drug development and biological research
• Structure determination of fragile or radiation-sensitive macromolecular crystals
• Room-temperature crystallography for studying biomolecules in near-physiological conditions
• Time-resolved studies of molecular conformations and protein dynamics
• Screening crystal samples automatically and efficiently in research laboratories
• Materials science research, analyzing synthetic or inorganic crystals
• Studying ligand binding and conformational changes through real-time structural monitoring

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables rapid, automated acquisition of atomic-resolution diffraction data
• Reduces sample damage by enabling data collection at high speeds and room temperature
• Allows multiple crystal orientations to be captured efficiently without manual manipulation
• Eliminates the need for freezing samples, preserving natural conformational states
• Minimizes sample waste and increases throughput through automation and precise sample delivery
• Permits dynamic studies (e.g., conformational changes, ligand binding) in real time
• Improves experimental flexibility by allowing temperature, humidity, and chemical control during measurement

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Patent Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and a system (2) for resolving a crystal structure of a crystal (4) at atomic resolution by collecting X-ray diffraction images, comprising: a) ejecting a droplet (8) of fluid comprising single or multiple of crystal (4) into an ultrasonic acoustic levitator (6); b) levitating said droplet (8) of fluid comprising said crystal (4) in an ultrasonic acoustic levitator (6); b) monitoring the position and the spinning of the droplet (8) with a visualization apparatus; c) applying X-ray (20) to said crystal (4), said X-ray (20) stemming from an X-ray source (34); and d) detecting the X-ray diffraction images (24) from the said crystal (4) irradiated by the said X-ray source (34) by an X-ray detector (36) being capable to capture two dimensional diffraction patterns.