title: Applications of thin-film sandwich crystallization platforms.
abstract: Examples are shown of protein crystallization in, and data collection from, solutions sandwiched between thin polymer films using vapour-diffusion and batch methods. The crystallization platform is optimal for both visualization and in situ data collection, with the need for traditional harvesting being eliminated. In wells constructed from the thinnest plastic and with a minimum of aqueous liquid, flash-cooling to 100 K is possible without significant ice formation and without any degradation in crystal quality. The approach is simple; it utilizes low-cost consumables but yields high-quality data with minimal sample intervention and, with the very low levels of background X-ray scatter that are observed, is optimal for microcrystals.
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0DE, England.
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Axford
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0DE, England.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aller
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0DE, England.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Weatherby
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0DE, England.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandy
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers
keywords: crystal visual inspection; crystallization; diffraction data collection; in situ X-ray analysis; protein crystallization devices