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The HARE chip for efficient time-resolved serial synchrotron crystallography

authors
P. Mehrabi, H. Müller-Werkmeister, J.-P. Leimkohl, H. Schikora, J. Ninkovic, S. Krivokuca, L. Andrǐcek, S. W. Epp, D. Sherrell, R. L. Owen, A. R. Pearson, F. Tellkamp, E.-C. Schulz, R. J. D. Miller.
date published
Feb. 27, 2020
journal
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
volume, number
27 (2)
pages
360-370
web page
http://scripts.iucr.org/cgi-bin/paper?S1600577520000685
doi
https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577520000685
abstract

Serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) is an emerging technique for static and time-resolved protein structure determination. Using specifically patterned silicon chips for sample delivery, the `hit-and-return' (HARE) protocol allows for efficient time-resolved data collection. The specific pattern of the crystal wells in the HARE chip provides direct access to many discrete time points. HARE chips allow for optical excitation as well as on-chip mixing for reaction initiation, making a large number of protein systems amenable to time-resolved studies. Loading of protein microcrystals onto the HARE chip is streamlined by a novel vacuum loading platform that allows fine-tuning of suction strength while maintaining a humid environment to prevent crystal dehydration. To enable the widespread use of time-resolved serial synchrotron crystallography (TR-SSX), detailed technical descriptions of a set of accessories that facilitate TR-SSX workflows are provided.