The development of an automated nano sampling handling system for nanometne protein crystallography experiments

P. Docker, D. Axford, M. Prince, B. Cordovez, J. Kay, D. Stuart, G. Evans

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

As the world's synchrotrons and X-FELs endeavour to meet the need to analyse ever-smaller protein crystals, there grows a requirement for a new technique to present nano-dimensional samples to the beam for X-ray diffraction experiments.The work presented here details developmental work to reconfigure the nano tweezer technology developed by Optofluidics (PA, USA) for the trapping of nano dimensional protein crystals for X-ray crystallography experiments. The system in its standard configuration is used to trap nano particles for optical microscopy. It uses silicon nitride laser waveguides that bridge a micro fluidic channel. These waveguides contain 180 nm apertures of enabling the system to use biologically compatible 1.6 micron wavelength laser light to trap nano dimensional biological samples. Using conventional laser tweezers, the wavelength required to trap such nano dimensional samples would destroy them. The system in its optical configuration has trapped protein molecules as small as 10 nanometres.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvanced manufacturing, electronics and microsystems
Editors NSTI
PublisherCRC Press
Pages343-346
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)978-1-49874730-1
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2015
Event10th Annual TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, held jointly with the 18th Annual Nanotech Conference and Expo, and the 2015 National SBIR/STTR Conference - Washington, United States
Duration: 14 Jun 201517 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameTechConnect Briefs 2015
PublisherCRC Press
Volume4

Conference

Conference10th Annual TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo, held jointly with the 18th Annual Nanotech Conference and Expo, and the 2015 National SBIR/STTR Conference
Abbreviated titleTechConnect 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington
Period14/06/1517/06/15

Keywords

  • microfluidics
  • optical nano traps
  • protein crystallography
  • X rays

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