Metal-assisted and microwave-accelerated evaporative crystallization: an approach to rapid crystallization of biomolecules

Abstract

Our laboratory has recently introduced and demonstrated the use of the metal-assisted and microwaveaccelerated evaporative crystallization (MA-MAEC) technique for rapid crystallization of biomolecules (e.g., amino acids, peptides and proteins). The MA-MAEC technique utilizes metal nanoparticles (silver, gold, copper, nickel, iron oxide, indium tin oxide), which are deposited on to iCrystal plates or glass surfaces to serve as selective nucleation sites and microwave-transparent medium to generate microwave-induced temperature gradients. In this highlight article, we will chronicle the effectiveness of the MA-MAEC technique as a rapid, efficient and easy to use technique for crystallization of biomolecules in potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Effect of Intermittent Monomode Microwave Heating on the Crystallization of Glutathione and Lysozyme on Indium Tin Oxide Films

“…1(c)). The combined use of microwave heating and iCrystal plates with 21-well capacity affords for the high throughput crystallization of glutathione and lysozyme in a rapid manner [1,2]. It is important to note that for efficient protein crystallization, the protein solution volume inside the ITO-modified iCrystal plates was restricted to < 8 µL.…”

“…Crystallization of biomolecules is an essential process for the medical, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical fields [1]. Crystallization process a ff o r d s g r e a t e r p u r i t y a n d c o n t r o l o v e r t h e polymorphism of drugs produced [2][3][4]. Within the food and chemical industry, crystallization plays a role in the preservation, processing, and manufacturing of products such as sugars, food additives and salts [5][6][7].…”

“…Over the past decade, researchers have incorporated materials science, nanoscience, and molecular biotechnology for greater understanding of the process of crystallization [8]. Continued interest in the field of crystallization arises from the need to monitor and regulate crystal size, shape, surface, and form to ensure the quality and purity of the reproduced biomolecules [2,8]. Current techniques for protein crystallization mainly involve hanging drop vapor diffusion [9,10], microbatch crystallization [11,12] and evaporative crystallization methods [2].…”

“…Continued interest in the field of crystallization arises from the need to monitor and regulate crystal size, shape, surface, and form to ensure the quality and purity of the reproduced biomolecules [2,8]. Current techniques for protein crystallization mainly involve hanging drop vapor diffusion [9,10], microbatch crystallization [11,12] and evaporative crystallization methods [2]. X-ray diffraction (XRD) quality crystals are observed after one day with the use of hanging drop vapor diffusion method [9,13].…”

Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization: An Alternative Approach to Potential Treatment of Crystal Deposition Diseases

“…Glucocorticoid and corticosteroid treatments are affiliated with decreased immune function, osteoporosis, myopathy, avascular necrosis and cardiovascular diseases [16]. Non-drug based therapeutics that have been used as attached to a solid surface and result in a physical break down of the target crystals [33,35].…”