title: Protein crystallization at the air/water interface induced by shearing bulk flow.
abstract: We have observed 2D protein crystallization under conditions where in the absence of flow, crystallization fails to occur. Even under conditions where crystallization does occur in quiescent systems, we have found that flow can accelerate the crystallization process. By interrogating the flow responsible for this enhanced crystallization, we have correlated the enhancement with large shear in the plane of the interface. Some possible mechanisms for why interfacial shear can enhance the crystallization process are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Ali N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Azadani
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Amir H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hirsa
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D044367:Phase Transition; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D033081:Shear Strength
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins