MICRO-PATTERNED Silicon Chips for serial Crystallography
For serial crystallography experiments at LABORATORY sources, synchrotrons and XFELs
A critical parameter in diffraction experiments is the signal-to-noise ratio and the related achievable resolution. Our silicon chips allow performing diffraction experiments with minimal background scattering levels. Depending on size and geometry of the chips, they can hold up 200 000 microcrystals for serial crystallography experiments. Thanks to the use of monocrystalline silicon substrate the chips themselves do not contribute to any background scattering except for positions at Bragg reflections at resolutions below 3.2 Å. The pore structure further allows highly efficient removal of excess liquid by blotting. As a consequence, diffraction results obtained with our chips are typically of higher quality than achievable with conventional loop mounting.
A – A small volume of a micro-crystal suspension is pipetted onto the chip membrane
B – A small wedge of filter paper is applied to the bottom side of the chip
C – The filter paper soaks off the liquid through the micro channels
D – Crystals with sizes larger than the pores are retained and arrange themselves in a periodic way according to the pore structure of the chip
E – The filter paper is removed from the lower side of the chip
F – The crystals on the chip can be either flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen or the sample holder can be equipped with a protective cover (not shown)
Important: During the entire sample loading process, it is required to keep the chip in a continuous air-stream providing a controlled relative humidity environment.
Reference: Roedig, P. et al. A micro-patterned silicon chip as sample holder for macromolecular crystallography experiments with minimal background scattering. Sci. Rep. 5, 10451; doi: 10.1038/srep10451 (2015). Picture on the right side: „Sample loading procedure“ by Roedig, P. et al., licensed under CC BY 4.0 / Desaturated from original
We can manufacture the chip according to your needs. Membrane thickness, pore size and chip surface area can be fully customized to your requirements. We have extensive experience with diffraction experiments and are happy to consult with you to reach an optimal design.
Ideally suited for high-speed fixed target serial crystallography in combination with the Roadrunner goniometer
Well combinable with our humidity generator HG-1 for the exploration of relative humidity and temperature as additional environmental parameters in X-ray crystallography.
