scholarly journals Optimization of crystallization of biological macromolecules using dialysis combined with temperature control

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Junius ◽  
Elham Vahdatahar ◽  
Esko Oksanen ◽  
Jean-Luc Ferrer ◽  
Monika Budayova-Spano
Keyword(s):  
Phase Diagram ◽  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Crystal Size ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Starting Position ◽  
Crystallization Experiment ◽  
Metastable Zone ◽  
Selection Of

A rational way to find the appropriate conditions to grow crystal samples for bio-crystallography is to determine the crystallization phase diagram, which allows precise control of the parameters affecting the crystal growth process. First, the nucleation is induced at supersaturated conditions close to the solubility boundary between the nucleation and metastable regions. Then, crystal growth is further achieved in the metastable zone – which is the optimal location for slow and ordered crystal expansion – by modulation of specific physical parameters. Recently, a prototype of an integrated apparatus for the rational optimization of crystal growth by mapping and manipulating temperature–precipitant–concentration phase diagrams has been constructed. Here, it is demonstrated that a thorough knowledge of the phase diagram is vital in any crystallization experiment. The relevance of the selection of the starting position and the kinetic pathway undertaken in controlling most of the final properties of the synthesized crystals is shown. The rational crystallization optimization strategies developed and presented here allow tailoring of crystal size and diffraction quality, significantly reducing the time, effort and amount of expensive protein material required for structure determination.

Methods of Crystallization

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ducruix ◽  
R. Giegé
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Vapour Phase ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Temperature Observation ◽  
Crystallization Experiment ◽  
Stock Solutions

There are many methods to crystallize biological macromolecules (for reviews see refs 1-3), all of which aim at bringing the solution of macromolecules to a supersaturation state (see Chapters 10 and 11). Although vapour phase equilibrium and dialysis techniques are the two most favoured by crystallographers and biochemists, batch and interface diffusion methods will also be described. Many chemical and physical parameters influence nucleation and crystal growth of macromolecules (see Chapter 1, Table 1). Nucleation and crystal growth will in addition be affected by the method used. Thus it may be wise to try different methods, keeping in mind that protocols should be adapted (see Chapter 4). As solubility is dependent on temperature (it could increase or decrease depending on the protein), it is strongly recommended to work at constant temperature (unless temperature variation is part of the experiment), using commercially thermoregulated incubators. Refrigerators can be used, but if the door is often open, temperature will vary, impeding reproducibility. Also, vibrations due to the refrigerating compressor can interfere with crystal growth. This drawback can be overcome by dissociating the refrigerator from the compressor. In this chapter, crystallization will be described and correlated with solubility diagrams as described in Chapter 10. Observation is an important step during a crystallization experiment. If you have a large number of samples to examine, then this will be time-consuming, and a zoom lens would be an asset. The use of a binocular generally means the presence of a lamp; use of a cold lamp avoids warming the crystals (which could dissolve them). If crystals are made at 4°C and observation is made at room temperature, observation time should be minimized. Preparation of the solutions of all chemicals used for the crystallization of biological macromolecules should follow some common rules: • when possible, use a hood (such as laminar flux hood) to avoid dust • all chemicals must be of purest chemical grade (ACS grade) • stock solutions are prepared as concentrated as possible with double distilled water. Solubility of most chemicals are given in Merck Index. Filter solutions with 0.22 μm minifilter.

Calculation of the kinetics of crystallization based on a single batch experiment

1989 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 3187-3197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Nývlt
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Kinetic Data ◽  
Growth Kinetic ◽  
Crystal Size ◽  
Batch Crystallization ◽  
Crystallization Experiment ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Single Batch ◽  
Kinetics Of Crystal Growth

The kinetics of crystal growth and nucleation in dependence on the supersaturation of a solution of KCL were evaluated based on a single batch crystallization experiment, where the supersaturation was monitored refractometrically and the product crystal size distribution was established at the end of the experiment. The crystal growth kinetic data obtained compare well with published values, for the nucleation data the agreement is less satisfactory.

scholarly journals Optimization of crystallization conditions for biological macromolecules

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 1445-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander McPherson ◽  
Bob Cudney
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Structure Determination ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Sample Volume ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Crystallization Conditions

For the successful X-ray structure determination of macromolecules, it is first necessary to identify, usually by matrix screening, conditions that yield some sort of crystals. Initial crystals are frequently microcrystals or clusters, and often have unfavorable morphologies or yield poor diffraction intensities. It is therefore generally necessary to improve upon these initial conditions in order to obtain better crystals of sufficient quality for X-ray data collection. Even when the initial samples are suitable, often marginally, refinement of conditions is recommended in order to obtain the highest quality crystals that can be grown. The quality of an X-ray structure determination is directly correlated with the size and the perfection of the crystalline samples; thus, refinement of conditions should always be a primary component of crystal growth. The improvement process is referred to as optimization, and it entails sequential, incremental changes in the chemical parameters that influence crystallization, such as pH, ionic strength and precipitant concentration, as well as physical parameters such as temperature, sample volume and overall methodology. It also includes the application of some unique procedures and approaches, and the addition of novel components such as detergents, ligands or other small molecules that may enhance nucleation or crystal development. Here, an attempt is made to provide guidance on how optimization might best be applied to crystal-growth problems, and what parameters and factors might most profitably be explored to accelerate and achieve success.

Divergent synthesis of CF3-substituted polycyclic skeletons based on control of activation site of acid catalysts

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (50) ◽  
pp. 6927-6930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuma Yokoo ◽  
Keiji Mori
Keyword(s):  
Acid Catalysts ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Activation Site

We report a divergent synthesis of CF3-substituted fused skeletons based on precise control of the activation site through the selection of acid catalysts.

scholarly journals Precise Control of Crystal Growth for Highly Efficient CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells

Joule ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijie Chen ◽  
Haiyang Chen ◽  
Guiying Xu ◽  
Rongming Xue ◽  
Shuhui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Highly Efficient

scholarly journals Nanometre-Scale Visualization of Chemical Parameter Changes by T1-Weighted ODMR Imaging Using a Fluorescent Nanodiamond

Chemosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Takahiro Fujisaku ◽  
Ryuji Igarashi ◽  
Masahiro Shirakawa
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Laser Pulse ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Chemical Parameter ◽  
Ph Conditions ◽  
Optically Detected ◽  
Life Phenomena ◽  
Selection Of

The dynamics of physical parameters in cells is strongly related to life phenomena; thus, a method to monitor and visualize them on a single-organelle scale would be useful to reveal unknown biological processes. We demonstrate real-time nanometre-scale T1-weighted imaging using a fluorescent nanodiamond. We explored optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) contrast at various values of interval laser pulse (τ), showing that sufficient contrast is obtained by appropriate selection of τ. By this method, we visualized nanometre-scale pH changes using a functionalized nanodiamond whose T1 has a dependence on pH conditions.

The phase diagram and crystal growth of Y1xPrxBa2Cu3O7-y

1993 ◽  
Vol 128 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 767-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Changkang ◽  
Hu Yongle ◽  
B.M. Wanklyn ◽  
S. Hazell ◽  
A.K. Pradhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Diagram ◽  
Crystal Growth

Phase diagram, crystal growth and characterization of Mn-substituted ZnGeAs2 system

2008 ◽  
Vol 69 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 408-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Matsushita ◽  
Masaki Watanabe ◽  
Akinori Katsui
Keyword(s):  
Phase Diagram ◽  
Crystal Growth

A statistical analysis of low-stress mechanical properties of warp-knitted fabrics

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka-yan Yim ◽  
Chi-wai Kan
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Knitted Fabrics ◽  
Fabric Hand ◽  
Low Stress Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fabric Weight ◽  
Fabric Structures ◽  
Selection Of

Fabric hand is an indispensable characteristic for the selection of fabric and product development and the buying consideration for manufacturers and consumers. However, there is little comprehensive work on the hand feel property of warp-knitted fabrics due to the mainstream natural fibers (cotton, wool and silk) and other fabric structures (woven, weft-knitted and nonwoven). The increasing potential for the wide variety of applications and development of warp-knitted fabrics is not only because its fabric hand gives better determination for fabric marketing, but also because it provides extensive scope for fabric performance and appearance. This paper reports an experimental study on the integrated fabric hand behavior of a series of warp-knitted fabrics made for various apparel applications, such as sportswear, lingerie and leisure wear. These 105 fabrics were produced by varying different physical parameters, including fabric weight and fabric thickness. The Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabric (KES-F) was employed to obtain the fabric hand properties (primary hand value and total hand value) related with stiffness, smoothness and softness. All low-stress mechanical properties and fabric hand values from the testing results were used to verify the applicability of the KES-F on warp-knitted fabrics and to analyze the relationships of fabric parameters and hand characteristics. The results indicate that the KES-F is an appropriate tool to measure the hand attributes of warp-knitted samples, and moderate correlations between physical properties and mechanical behavior were found.

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