 |
 |
| Pressurized Module |
|
| Solution / Protein Crystal growth Facility: SPCF |
| |
Solution Crystallization Observation Facility
(SCOF) |
Protein Crystallization Research Facility
(PCRF) |
 |
 |
| An in-situ observation facility with versatile diagnostics like interference microscopes. |
PCRF provides "tailor-made" harvesting. |
 SCOF (Solution Crystallization Observation Facility)
A Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interference microscope enables precise measurements of growth conditions. Various options are available.
The SCOF has an amplitude modulation (AM) microscope and is equipped with two wavelength interference microscope to simultaneously measure changes in morphology and growth conditions (temperature and concentration).
Researchers can freely design experiment-unique cartridges. Interfaces for temperature control and measurement, pressure control and measurement, control of the cell stage, evacuation, and N2 gas supply are available. A Michelson interference microscope and Dynamic Light Scattering are also available as options.
 |
 |
Diagnostics
(A) MZ Interference Microscope
The MZ interference microscope employs two wavelength light sources and can simultaneously measure distributions of temperature and concentration in a solution.
(B) AM, Polarizing, and Bright-Field Microscopes
Amplitude modulation (AM), polarizing, and bright-field microscopes can observe crystal shapes, surfaces, etc.
(C) Options
(1) Dynamic Light Scattering (2) Fluorescence Decay
(3) Reflecting Spectrophotometer
(4) Absorption Photometer
(5) Michelson Interference Microscope
Cell Cartridges
Cell cartridges with standard dimensions of 220 mm in diameter and 65 mm in height are available.
Temperature control (-10 to 220 deg .C), pressure control (1 to 147 MPa), and
atmosphere control (vacuum or N2 gas supply) are possible.
Operation
SCOF supports "tele-science" operation by monitoring growing
crystals. Experiment parameters can be changed by sending commands from the
ground.
PCRF (Protein Crystallization Research Facility)
Peltier elements provide temperature profiles suitable for target proteins. Monitoring with CCD camera is possible.
The PCRF has six cell cartridges. Since each cell cartridge has a motor drive and Peltier elements, activation and termination timing as well as temperature profiles can be freely designed. An experimental profile appropriate for each protein can be established. A CCD camera enables real-time monitoring of crystal growth.
 |
| crystals grown in space |
 |
| crystals grown on the ground |
 |
| monitoring image of CCD camera |
Cell Cartridge
- Six cartridges
- 10 to 16 wells per cartridge
- 10 to 500 µl per well
Harvesting Methods
- Vapor Diffusion
- Batch
- Membrane
- Liquid-liquid Diffusion
Temperature Control
Electric Interfaces (per cartridge)
- Thermistors (2)
- Thermo module (1)
- Motor (1)
- Photo Sensor (1)
Basic Specification
| Item |
Specification |
| SCOF |
Mach-Zehnder
Interference
Microscope |
Magnification |
x2, x4 |
| Light source |
LD and solid-state laser diode (λ=532 nm, 780 nm) |
| Phase resolution |
More than 0.2 λ |
| Spatial resolution |
More than 3.1 μm (x4), 7 μm (x2) |
| CCD image sensor size |
1/2 inch |
Amplitude
Modulation
Microscopes |
Magnification |
x2, x4 |
| Light source |
LED (λ=660 nm) |
| Phase difference resolution |
More than 0.2 λ |
| Spatial resolution |
More than 4.2 µm |
| Direction of illumination |
Transmitted or Refracted (switchable) |
| CCD image sensor size |
1/2 inch |
| User Interface |
Temperature control |
Peltier element (4.2 A Max/ch, 13 A Max/12 ch) |
Temp. Measurement |
Thermistor (standard or high-precision measurement),
Thermocouple (K, J type) |
Pressure control |
1 to 147.1 MPa (Note: Pressurizing hardware will be prepared and designed by user or user integrator) |
Pressure measurement |
0 to 147.1 MPa (Precision: ±1 %FS) |
Gas evacuation |
101 kPa to 0.13 Pa |
N2 supplied pressure |
0 to 827 kPa |
| Options |
| (1) Dynamic Light Scattering. |
(2) Fluorescence Decay. |
| (3) Reflecting Spectrophotometer. |
(4) Absorption Photometer. |
| (5) Michelson Interference Microscope. |
|
|
| PCRF |
| Cell Cartridge |
Number of wells |
10 to 16 well / Cell Cartridge |
| Volume of solution |
10 to 500 µl |
| Temperature control |
0 to 35 deg .C (each cartridge is independently controlled) |
| Harvesting method |
a) Vapor Diffusion. b) Batch. c) Membrane.
d) Liquid-liquid Diffusion. |
| Observation system |
Camera |
1/2 CCD camera |
| Light source |
LED |
| Resolution |
More than 40 μm |
Last Updated : February 9, 2005
|
