Patent ID: 6849459

Claim:
A method of crystallizing a biomolecule, comprising the steps of: providing a biomolecule microchannel, comprising an inlet and an outlet; providing a first filter chamber in a fluid communication with the biomolecule microchannel and located between the inlet and the outlet, the first filter chamber comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane forms one of the sides of the first filter chamber; providing a buffer microchannel, comprising an inlet and an outlet; providing a second filter chamber in a fluid communication with the buffer microchannel, the second filter chamber located between the inlet and the outlet of the buffer microchannel and separated from the first filter chamber by said membrane; flowing a biomolecule solution containing the biomolecule through the biomolecule microchannel and the first filter chamber; flowing the buffer solution through the buffer microchannel and the second filter chamber; wherein the biomolecule solution in the first filter chamber is dialyzed through the membrane when in contact with the buffer solution in the second filter chamber; and a crystal of the biomolecule is formed in the dialyzed biomolecule solution.