Use of FRAP to Filter Out Non-Crystallizing Conditions

 

Authors: Ellen Gualtieri1, Eugene Chun2, Wei Liu2, Lance Ramsey1
1Formulatrix, Inc. 2Arizona State University

 

Problem:

Finding the optimal conditions to crystallize integral membrane proteins is time consuming. Crystals can take two weeks or more to form making it a lengthy process in optimizing growth conditions.

 

Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP)

Prescreens crystallization conditions to eliminate those conditions that are not conducive for crystallization. In just 30 minutes one can narrow down to a small subset of conditions that are amenable to crystallization.