PubMed · 17124122
Hypergravity as a crystallization tool.
Abstract
The centrifugal increase of concentration is nondestructive, rapid, and simple technology. Therefore it is used to create a higher supersaturation that is required for crystal nucleation, as the one that is appropriate for the subsequent growth. Crystal nucleation is evoked in glass capillary tubes filled with protein solutions. The couple ferritin/ apoferritin is used as model proteins in the present article. Although differing in their masses the two (quasi) spherical molecules have exactly the same size and surface properties. Together with the temperature-independent solubility this makes them very convenient for our investigations. Decoupling nucleation and growth, for example, by means of hypergravity makes it possible to grow quasi-equidimensional crystals. The use of monodisperse crystalline forms of therapeutic agents can ensure constant time-release of protein-based medications.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Christo N Nanev, I Dimitrov, F Hodjaoglu. 2006. Hypergravity as a crystallization tool.. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1362.013
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.