Device and method for forming macromolecule crystal

Abstract

Disclosed is a macromolecule-crystal forming apparatus and method capable of obtaining a macromolecule crystal in a simplified and efficient manner. The device comprises a first container containing a sample of macromolecule, a second container containing a gel acting as a buffer material during the crystallization of the macromolecule, and a third container containing a precipitant solution having a function of facilitating the aggregation of molecules during the crystallization of the macromolecule. These containers are connected together in a given manner so as to allow the macromolecule sample and the precipitant to be brought into contact with one another through the gel to induce the crystallization of the macromolecule.

1 . A device for forming a macromolecule crystal, comprising:
 a first container having at least one opening and containing a sample of macromolecule;   a second container having at least two openings and containing a gel for buffering a crystallization solution condition, a crystallization initiation period and a crystal-growth rate of the macromolecule; and   a third container having at least one opening and containing a precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample in a liquid-liquid diffusion process so as to facilitate the crystallization of the macromolecule,   wherein said first to third containers are arranged to allow the macromolecule sample in said first container and the precipitant solution in said third container to be diffused through the gel in said second container, while allowing the precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample within said first container.   
   
   
       2 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the opening of said first container is connected to a first one of the openings of said second container, and a second one of said openings of said second container is connected to the opening of said third container. 
   
   
       3 . The device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second container is made of an elastic material, wherein an end of said first container having the opening thereof is inserted into one of the ends of said second container each having a corresponding one of the openings thereof, and an end of said third container having the opening thereof is inserted into the other end of said second container, whereby the connection between said respective ends is maintained by means of the elastic force of said second container. 
   
   
       4 . The device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said first and third containers are connected to said second container in a displaceable manner relative to one another. 
   
   
       5 . A device for forming a macromolecule crystal, comprising:
 a first container having at least one opening and containing a sample of macromolecule;   a second container having at least two openings and containing a gel for buffering a crystallization solution condition, a crystallization initiation period and a crystal-growth rate of the macromolecule; and   a third container incorporating said first and second containers arranged in such a manner that the opening of said first container and a first one of the openings of said second container are connected together to allow the macromolecule sample and the gel to be in contact with one another, said third container containing a precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample via a liquid-liquid diffusion process so as to facilitate the crystallization of the macromolecule,   wherein the gel and the precipitant solution are in contact with one another at a second one of said openings of said second container, so that the precipitant solution is diffused into the macromolecule sample in said first container through the gel.   
   
   
       6 . The device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said second container is made of an elastic material, wherein an end of said first container having the opening thereof is inserted into an end of said second container having said first opening thereof, whereby the connection between said ends is maintained by means of the elastic force of said second container. 
   
   
       7 . The device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein each of at least said macromolecule sample and said precipitant solution is hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       8 . A device for forming a macromolecule crystal, comprising:
 a first tubular container having an open end and containing a sample of macromolecule;   a second tubular container having first and second opposite open ends and containing a gel for buffering a crystallization solution condition, a crystallization initiation period and a crystal-growth rate of the macromolecule; and   a third tubular container incorporating said first and second tubular containers arranged in such a manner that the open end of said first tubular container and the first open end of said second tubular container are connected together to allow the macromolecule sample and the gel to be in contact with one another, said third tubular container containing a precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample via a liquid-liquid diffusion process so as to facilitate the crystallization of the macromolecule,   wherein the precipitant solution is contained in said third tubular container to allow the gel and the precipitant solution to be in contact with one another at the second open end of said second tubular container.   
   
   
       9 . The device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said first tubular container is inserted into and connected to said second tubular container, to establish the contact between the macromolecule sample in said first tubular container and the gel in said second tubular container. 
   
   
       10 . The device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second tubular container is designed to hold the open end of said first tubular container received therein and maintain the connection therewith by means of an elastic force. 
   
   
       11 . The device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said third tubular container is formed in a test-tube-like shape having a lower portion in which the precipitant solution is contained, wherein a lower one of the open ends of said second tubular container is immersed in the precipitant solution to establish the contact between the precipitant solution and the gel in the second tubular container so as to allow the precipitant solution to be diffused into the gel and then into the macromolecule sample. 
   
   
       12 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the macromolecule sample in said first tubular container is diffused into the gel in said second tubular container through the connected portion between said first and second tubular containers, and the precipitant solution is diffused into the gel in said second tubular container and the macromolecule sample in said first tubular container through an opening of the second open end of said second tubular container. 
   
   
       13 . The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each of said first and third tubular containers is hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       14 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , which is designed to induce in said first tubular container a concentration gradient such that the concentration of the macromolecule sample is increased in a direction getting away from the interface between the gel in said second tubular container and the macromolecule sample, and the concentration of the precipitant solution is reduced in said direction. 
   
   
       15 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A device for forming a macromolecule crystal, comprising:
 a first container having at least one opening and containing a sample of macromolecule;   a second container having at least two openings and containing a porous material for buffering a crystallization solution condition, a crystallization initiation period and a crystal-growth rate of the macromolecule; and   a third container having at least one opening and containing a precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample via a liquid-liquid diffusion process so as to facilitate the crystallization of the macromolecule,   wherein said first to third containers are arranged to allow the macromolecule sample in said first container and the precipitant solution in said third container to be diffused through the porous material in said second container, while allowing the precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample within said first container.   
   
   
       26 . A device for forming a macromolecule crystal, comprising:
 a first container having at least one opening and containing a sample of macromolecule;   a second container having at least two openings and containing a gel for buffering a crystallization solution condition, a crystallization initiation period and a crystal-growth rate of the macromolecule; and   a plurality of third containers connected with each other, each of said third containers having at least one opening and containing a precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample via a liquid-liquid diffusion process so as to facilitate the crystallization of the macromolecule,   wherein said first to third containers are arranged to allow the macromolecule sample in said first container and the precipitant solution in a selected one of said third containers to be diffused through the gel in said second container, while allowing the precipitant solution to be brought into contact with the macromolecule sample within said first container.   
   
   
       27 . The device as defined in  claim 26 , wherein each of said third containers has an opening for communication or connection with said second container, and an additional opening provided with a detachable sealing cap. 
   
   
       28 - 30 . (canceled)