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Research Goal
Bioinformatics
Protein Cloning Expression
X-ray Crystalography
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Counter Diffusion Crystallization
There are many advantages to counter diffusion methods over vapor diffusion to obtain the high quality crystals necessary for X-ray diffraction. The following top five advantages are (1) creating a continuum of crystallization conditions down the axis of the capillary maximizes growth opportunities (2) naturally slowing down the diffusion kinetics of the crystallizing agents will typically results in a larger more defect free crystal (3) reducing buoyancy induced convection to provide a gentle growth environment (4) rapid identification of the best crystals through the supersaturated gradient and (5) eliminating the risk of damaging the crystals through manipulation or environmental factors during harvest.
In collaboration with the laboratory of Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz, we are able to screen and optimize protein crystal growth in restricted geometry by counter-diffusion crystallization. Using this method, crystals obtained can be used directly for X-ray analysis and structure determination without any crystal manipulation.
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