Patent ID: 7763471

Claim:
A method of providing an array of crystallization conditions, the method comprising: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising substrates arranged to form a gap, wherein: (i) the gap comprises: (1) sample comprising a protein analyte in a concentration suitable for preparing a protein crystallization array; (2) reagents comprising crystallization reagents; and (3) an oil filler fluid comprising a surfactant in an amount selected to enhance droplet operations using the sample; and (ii) one or more of the substrates comprise electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations in the gap by electrowetting using: (1) sample droplets comprising aliquots of the sample; and (2) reagent droplets comprising aliquots of the reagents; and (b) providing a processor; (c) using the processor to control the electrodes to conduct the droplet operations comprising: (i) dispensing sample droplets from the sample and reagent droplets from the reagents, wherein the dispensing comprises aliquoting a volume of: (1) sample into smaller sample droplets; and (2) reagents into smaller reagent droplets; (ii) transporting the sample droplets and reagent droplets; and (iii) merging sample droplets with reagent droplets; to yield an array of crystallization conditions.