Automated, Low Volume Dynamic Light Scattering Technology to Accelerate Protein Crystallization

Introduction
The quest for solving protein structure largely relies upon X-Ray diffraction, a method requiring crystalline forms of the target protein. Among the many steps comprising structure determination, the process of protein crystallization represents one of the most significant, time-consuming challenges. A new low sample volume, automated dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology has been developed – the DynaPro Plate Reader.

The DynaPro Plate Reader can measure protein samples less than 5 microliters in volume, at less than 1 mg/mL concentrations in 1536 well-plate formats. By analyzing 100’s of samples per day, in an unattended fashion, the DynaPro Plate Reader improves the productivity of vital dynamic light scattering applications in the protein crystallization process: screening proteins for aggregation prior to crystallization trials and solubility screening. More conditions can be explored in less time with less sample, leading to the successful optimization of the protein and/or crystallization conditions.