Abstract: A macromolecular crystal growing system especially designed for growing crystals in the low gravity of space as well as the gravity of earth includes at least one tray assembly, a carrier assembly which receives the tray, and a refrigeration-incubation module in which the carrier assembly is received. The tray assembly includes a plurality of sealed chambers with a plastic syringe and a plug means for the double tip of the syringe provided therein. Ganging mechanisms operate the syringes and plugs simultaneously in a precise and smooth operation. Preferably, the tray assemblies are mounted on ball bearing slides for smooth operation in inserting and removing the tray assemblies into the carrier assembly. The plugging mechanism also includes a loading control mechanism. A mechanism for leaving a syringe unplugged is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to crystal growth devices, and more particularly to a device in which protein crystals are grown in a hanging drop (12). The drop (12) is suspended from a surface (32) positioned in the interior (21) of an enclosure (18) which is sealably coupled via a valve (56) to a vessel (16) containing solvent used in the drop (12). A second opening in the enclosure (18) is coupled via a valve (54) to a vessel (14) containing a selected desiccant material (44). The valve (56) may be fully or partially opened to add a selected quantity of solvent in a vapor phase to the drop (12), and the valve (54) may be fully or partially opened to cause a selected quantity of solvent to evaporate from the drop (12). The process is monitored by a camera (70), and in conjunction with a graduated pattern superimposed over the drop (12), relative volumes of the drop (12) are determinated.