Protein crystallization method

Abstract

A method for the crystallization of macromolecules in a three-phase system using a vessel containing a lower aqueous phase, a middle phase and an upper hydrophobic phase having a lower density than that of the lower aqueous phase, wherein an aqueous solution of the macromolecules is added to the middle phase to form a fourth phase, followed by incubation.

1 . A device for the crystallization of macromolecules comprising:
 a multitude of sample vessels arranged to form a sample support, wherein said sample support has a contiguous edge which is higher than the openings of the sample vessels, in which at least one subsection separated from the remaining sample vessel by lateral walls exists in each sample vessel, wherein the top portions of the lateral walls in the sample vessels are lower than the lateral walls of the sample vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the subsections is at the same level as the bottom of the sample vessels. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the sample support is optically homogeneous. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1  further comprising a robotic system operatively connected to the sample vessels that perform automated crystallization. 
     
     
         5 . The device for the crystallization of macromolecules according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom of the sample support is optically homogeneous and that the bottom of the subsections is at the same level as the bottom of the sample vessels. 
     
     
         6 . A device for the crystallization of macromolecules comprising:
 a multitude of sample vessels arranged to form a sample support, in which at least two subsections separated from the remaining sample vessel by lateral walls exist in each sample vessel, wherein the top portions of the lateral walls are lower than the lateral walls of the sample vessel, wherein the lateral wall or walls of at least one subsection has a different height.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the bottom of the sample support is optically homogeneous and that the bottom of the subsections is at the same level as the bottom of the sample vessels. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6  further comprising a robotic system operatively connected to the sample vessels that perform automated crystallization. 
     
     
         9 . A three-phase system for the crystallization of macromolecules in which three liquid phases are on top of one another in one vessel, wherein these phases are a lower aqueous phase, a middle liquid phase and an upper hydrophobic phase having a lower density than that of the lower aqueous phase. 
     
     
         10 . The three-phase system according to  claim 9 , wherein said lower phase has been replaced by a hygroscopic phase of solid and/or liquid nature.