Crystallization Methods for laboratory cap and well

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for molecular and macromolecular crystallization. More particularly, the device comprises a well and a transparent cap for growing diffraction-quality protein crystals by conventional vapor diffusion techniques. The present device is particularly advantageous in that it allows the pre-filling of the well with a solution for transport and handling.

1 . A method for forming molecular or macromolecular crystals comprising the steps of: 
 dispensing a precipitating solution in a well having an open upper end;    providing a droplet of a solution containing a molecule or macromolecule on a crystallization support formed on an underside of a cap;    inverting the cap so the support is positioned over the open upper end of the well and the droplet is suspended over the precipitating solution contained in the well; and,    engaging a first locking means associated with the cap and a second locking means associated with the well to simultaneously interlock the cap onto the well and to close and seal the open upper end of the well.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support is transparent, the well has a light transmitting bottom and a resilient member is disposed between each cap and each well to ensure the sealing thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further including the step of observing the activities within the sealed well through the transparent support with the aid of light passing through the light transmitting bottom of the well.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cap and the open upper end of the well are tubular and the step of engaging includes rotating the first and second locking means relative to one another.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of pre-filling the well with the precipitating solution and sealing the well before shipment to a purchaser.  
     
     
         6 . A method of forming crystals by vapor diffusion comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tray having a base with a plurality of wells supported on the base with each well having an open upper end and a light transmitting bottom;    providing a plurality of caps, each with a transparent crystallization support formed on an underside thereof;    placing a precipitating solution within each well;    placing a droplet of solution containing a molecule or macromolecule to be crystallized and a precipitating agent on each of the crystallization supports;    inverting each cap so each crystallization support is positioned over each open upper end of each well and the molecule or macromolecule is suspended over the precipitating solution contained in each well; and,    engaging a first locking means associated with each cap and a second locking means associated with each well to simultaneously interlock each cap onto a well and to close and seal the open upper ends of the wells.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further including the step of positioning a resilient sealing member on each cap so as to enhance the seal between each cap and each well without the need or use of a contaminating sealing material between each cap and well.  
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 6  further including the step of examining and monitoring crystal growth under a microscope through the crystallization support with the aid of light passing through the light transmitting bottom of the well.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the caps and the upper end of each well are tubular and the step of engaging includes rotating the first and second locking means relative to one another.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of pre-filling each well with the precipitating solution and sealing each well before shipment to a purchaser.