Abstract: A nanovolume microcapillary crystallization system allows nanoliter-volume screening of crystallization conditions in a crystal card that allows crystals to either be removed for traditional cryoprotection or in situ X-ray diffraction studies on protein crystals that grow within. The system integrates formulation of crystallization cocktails with preparation of the crystallization experiments. The system allows the researcher to select either gradient screening in crystallization experiments for efficient exploration of crystallization phase space or a combination of sparse matrix with gradient screening to execute one comprehensive hybrid crystallization trial.

Abstract: Pieces of software and databases are used to facilitate the design and synthesis of genes. The synthesis techniques allow identification, quantification, transcription, translation, and manipulation of portions of the gene sequence represented as 0's and 1's in a computing system. These pieces of software and databases compile constraint information provided by a user to create synthetic genes to express proteins lacking disordered or variable regions and containing surface mutations that promote solubility and/or crystallization. Regions of the gene sequence that do not form stable structures can be removed and replaced by a short biological linker to improve crystallization of proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer-implementable systems and methods for generating images of crystals. The systems each include (a) a light source; (b) a rotatable first polarizing material; (c) a rotatable second polarizing material; (d) a light-capturing device; and (e) a software program executable on the computer-implementable system for analyzing electrical signals from the light-capturing device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides sets of crystallization solutions that each include one of Crystallization Solution Set 1, Crystallization Solution Set 2, Crystallization Solution Set 3, and Crystallization Solution Set 4. In another aspect, the present invention provides kits that each include at least one crystallization plate and a Crystallization Solution Set of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer-implementable systems and methods for generating images of crystals. The systems each include (a) a light source; (b) a rotatable first polarizing material; (c) a rotatable second polarizing material; (d) a light-capturing device; and (e) a software program executable on the computer-implementable system for analyzing electrical signals from the light-capturing device.