Open AccessA microfluidic flow‐focusing device for low sample consumption serial synchrotron crystallography experiments in liquid flow
Author(s) -
Monteiro Diana C. F.,
Vakili Mohammad,
Harich Jessica,
Sztucki Michael,
Meier Susanne M.,
Horrell Sam,
Josts Inokentijs,
Trebbin Martin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577519000304
Subject(s) - synchrotron , microfluidics , flow (mathematics) , materials science , sample (material) , flow focusing , crystallography , nanotechnology , chemistry , optics , mechanics , physics , chromatography
Serial synchrotron crystallography allows low X‐ray dose, room‐temperature crystal structures of proteins to be determined from a population of microcrystals. Protein production and crystallization is a non‐trivial procedure and it is essential to have X‐ray‐compatible sample environments that keep sample consumption low and the crystals in their native environment. This article presents a fast and optimized manufacturing route to metal–polyimide microfluidic flow‐focusing devices which allow for the collection of X‐ray diffraction data in flow. The flow‐focusing conditions allow for sample consumption to be significantly decreased, while also opening up the possibility of more complex experiments such as rapid mixing for time‐resolved serial crystallography. This high‐repetition‐rate experiment allows for full datasets to be obtained quickly (∼1 h) from crystal slurries in liquid flow. The X‐ray compatible microfluidic chips are easily manufacturable, reliable and durable and require sample‐flow rates on the order of only 30 µl h −1 .