Open AccessThe HARE chip for efficient time‐resolved serial synchrotron crystallography
Author(s) -
Mehrabi Pedram,
Müller-Werkmeister Henrike M.,
Leimkohl Jan-Philipp,
Schikora Hendrik,
Ninkovic Jelena,
Krivokuca Silvia,
Andriček Ladislav,
Epp Sascha W.,
Sherrell Darren,
Owen Robin L.,
Pearson Arwen R.,
Tellkamp Friedjof,
Schulz Eike C.,
Miller R. J. Dwayne
Publication year - 2020
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/s1600577520000685
Subject(s) - synchrotron , chip , silicon chip , mixing (physics) , computer science , crystallography , materials science , chemistry , silicon , optoelectronics , physics , optics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics
Serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) is an emerging technique for static and time‐resolved protein structure determination. Using specifically patterned silicon chips for sample delivery, the `hit‐and‐return' (HARE) protocol allows for efficient time‐resolved data collection. The specific pattern of the crystal wells in the HARE chip provides direct access to many discrete time points. HARE chips allow for optical excitation as well as on‐chip mixing for reaction initiation, making a large number of protein systems amenable to time‐resolved studies. Loading of protein microcrystals onto the HARE chip is streamlined by a novel vacuum loading platform that allows fine‐tuning of suction strength while maintaining a humid environment to prevent crystal dehydration. To enable the widespread use of time‐resolved serial synchrotron crystallography (TR‐SSX), detailed technical descriptions of a set of accessories that facilitate TR‐SSX workflows are provided.