The CrystalChip (Idylle Labs) provides a miniaturized, microfluidic platform for protein crystallization, enabling the nucleation and growth of multiple high-quality crystals along the channels while minimizing protein consumption. Although in situ collection of structural data by serial X-ray diffraction analyses has been well-established, imaging has traditionally relied on manual microscopy, limiting throughput and reproducibility.

In this study, the CrystalChip was integrated with the Formulatrix Rock Imager 360 (RI360) by using an SBS-footprint 3D-printed adapter for automated imaging of lysozyme crystallization experiments. Using bright-field and cross-polarized imaging modes, Rock Imager successfully captured high-resolution images of crystals aligned along the CrystalChip’s microfluidic channels.