Device for containing molecular probe solution in plurality of independent units

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a device made up of multiple independent units (cells) designed to contain solutions for growing crystals and perform automated X-ray diffraction experiments. Each unit securely holds a sample for crystal growth, which can then be independently extracted for analysis. The system supports automated, high-throughput determination of crystal structures at atomic resolution using X-ray diffraction and specialized handling equipment.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-throughput screening in pharmaceutical drug development to study protein crystal structures
• Automated structural biology facilities for rapid crystal analysis
• Academic or industrial laboratories investigating materials' atomic structures via crystallography
• Crystallization and structural analysis of small biological or chemical molecules
• Remote or robotic operation of crystallography experiments for increased safety or automation

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows independent handling and analysis of multiple samples, increasing throughput and flexibility
• Supports fully automated, hands-free X-ray diffraction experiments, reducing manual labor and errors
• Enables high-resolution atomic structure determination of crystals quickly and efficiently
• Minimizes sample contamination and improves reproducibility through sealed, extractable holders
• Facilitates integration with automated analysis equipment, accelerating scientific discovery and material characterization

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

An apparatus (2) for containing a crystalline medium, such as a solution (12), for crystal growth comprises a plurality of cells (3) and a system (70, 120) for performing an X-ray diffraction experiment on a crystal (28) in a sample holder (9) in the cells (3) to determine the atomic structure of the crystal (28). The unit (3) comprises: a well (4); a sample holder (9) comprising a sheet (10, 11) placed in the well (4); and a top plate (5) and a bottom plate (6). The solution (12) is contained in the sample holder (9) between the sheets (10, 11) or in a sample holder (9) on only one sheet. At least one of the top plate (5) and/or the bottom plate (6) is provided with an opening (7) having a cover (8) sealing the opening (7). Each sample holder (9) can be extracted independently from each well (4) by removing a reusable cover (8). Further, the invention discloses a system (70, 120) for performing an automatic X-ray diffraction experiment on small crystals (28, 94, 134) included in a sample holder (9) extracted from a well of a device (2) using a sonotrode (76, 126) to determine the crystal structure at atomic resolution. Each sample holder (9) is remotely collected from the apparatus (2) and loaded into an acoustic levitator by using automated equipment (101, 102, 103). During data collection of X-ray diffraction images, an X-ray beam (82, 122) is scanned on the suspended sample holder (85, 125) along a helical trajectory by rotating the sample holder about an axis perpendicular to the disk plane of the sample holder and simultaneously moving in a direction perpendicular to the X-ray beam and the axis of rotation. A continuous crystallographic X-ray diffraction data set of the crystal is collected by continuously recording X-ray diffraction images (84, 124) using a fast frame rate pixelated X-ray image detector (83, 123) during scanning of the X-ray beam on the sample holder.