With the filtered RNA, we then try to grow crystals using crystals trays that we have created. On a crystal tray, there are many wells in which the crystals are grown. In the well, we put a mixed solution that has a high concentration. On a little cover slip, we create a drop from the tRNAGln and the solution in the well. By mixing the two solutions, the concentration in the drop is diluted by half.
Grease is used to create a seal between the upside-down coverslip with the drop and the well.
The grease keeps anything from evaporating out of the well. The drop then begins to evaporate with the small molecules diffusing through air into the solution below. The large tRNAGln is too big to diffuse through the air so it concentrates on the cover slip creating a crystal. If we ever get crystals, the crystals are then put in a x-ray machine to find the structure. The diffracted beams create diagrams which we use to create the structure.