Patent ID: 6579358
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: C30B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of growing protein crystals in a protein crystal growth assembly comprising a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, said cell body having opposed first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough; a cell barrel disposed within said cell body, said cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of said cell body; a reservoir coupled to the bottom side of said cell body, said cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture; a protein cell insert disposed within the cavity of said cell barrel, said protein insert having an inner portion and an outer portion wherein the inner portion defines a well; and a cap having a top side disposed on the top side of said cell body, the method comprising:rotating the cell barrel to orient the protein cell insert in a fill/removal position; loading a premixed protein in the protein cell insert of the growth cell assembly; securing the premixed protein in the protein insert; rotating the cell barrel to a launch configuration position; at a predetermined time, rotating the cell barrel to a position to activate an experiment by placing the protein cell insert in a growth position; and at a second predetermined time, rotating the cell barrel to a position to deactivate the experiment by placing the protein cell insert in the fill/removal position.