XtalLight 100

Protein Crystal Identification

Identification is enabled by switching the illumination to an additional light with a near UV spectrum. Protein fluorescence can be excited by all common coverslips. Only protein crystals show intrinsic UV fluorescence, not salt crystals. The distinction between salt and protein crystals is important in deciding which conditions to select for subsequent optimisation screening. Reproduction and up-scaling of crystallisation conditions is in some cases a considerable effort. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence is typical for most proteins and some ligands, but highly unlikely for salt crystals and therefore a rapid identification method.

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