Use of plastic capillaries for macromolecular crystallization

Techniques of crystallization of biomolecules in plastic fluorocarbon-formulated capillaries (Nalgene 870 PFA tubing) are presented. These crystallization methods employ batch, free-interface liquid-liquid diffusion alone, or a combination with vapor diffusion. The growth of crystals of test proteins such as thaumatin and glucose isomerase, as well as of proteins studied in the laboratory, such as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, has been demonstrated. Once the solutions were loaded in capillaries, they were stored in the tubes in frozen state at cryogenic temperatures until required for crystallization experiments.