An automated microseed matrix-screening method for protein crystallization

The formation of nuclei in a crystallization experiment requires the interaction of protein molecules until a critical size of aggregate is created. The formation of such nuclei may be achieved either at very high protein concentrations or at lower levels of saturation with the introduction of seeds to form nucleation sites. Incorporating this seeding step into an automated screening process could have a considerable influence on the number of conditions which produce crystals. Some preliminary results are presented in this article.