Containerless protein crystal growth in rotating levitated drops

Abstract

A method for growing protein crystals in a containerless environment using an ultrasonic–electrostatic hybrid levitator is evaluated. In this approach, a single protein solution droplet bearing a surface charge is electrostatically levitated and acoustically rotated along a horizontal axis during the crystal nucleation and growth phases. Sample rotation is induced by ultrasonic streaming and radiation pressure applied in addition to the electrostatic levitation force. This unique approach is developed in order to create controlled crystal growth conditions which would reproduce some of the aspects of the low-gravity environment. We present the outcome of a development effort and feasibility study showing the successful growth of lysozyme and thaumatin crystals suspended within the bulk of quiescent liquid protein solutions inside rotating droplets also containing a very small concentration of agarose. Even though the crystals are not growing in a completely gelled medium and rotation is required for their long-term suspension, there are indications that a convectionless crystal growth environment has been obtained within the rotating drop, and that artificial flow can be introduced in a controlled manner by imposing drop shape oscillations.