Michael T Harrington

US Patent:

6406903, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/131729

Inventors:

Terry L. Bray - Hoover AL
Larry J. Kim - Birmingham AL
Michael Harrington - Birmingham AL
Lawrence J. DeLucas - Birmingham AL

Assignee:

University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham AL

International Classification:

C12N 700

US Classification:

4352351, 435239, 4352831, 117 69, 117 70, 117202, 117901, 117925

Abstract:

Crystal growth can be initiated and controlled by dynamically controlled vapor diffusion or temperature change. In one aspect, the present invention uses a precisely controlled vapor diffusion approach to monitor and control protein crystal growth. The system utilizes a humidity sensor and various interfaces under computer control to effect virtually any evaporation rate from a number of different growth solutions simultaneously by means of an evaporative gas flow. A static laser light scattering sensor can be used to detect aggregation events and trigger a change in the evaporation rate for a growth solution. A control/follower configuration can be used to actively monitor one chamber and accurately control replicate chambers relative to the control chamber. In a second aspect, the invention exploits the varying solubility of proteins versus temperature to control the growth of protein crystals. This system contains miniature thermoelectric devices under microcomputer control that change temperature as needed to grow crystals of a given protein.

US Patent:

20030027997, Feb 6, 2003

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/085479

Inventors:

Terry Bray - Hoover AL, US
Larry Kim - Birmingham AL, US
Michael Harrington - Birmingham AL, US
Lawrence Delucas - Birmingham AL, US
Wilbur Wilson - Starkville MS, US

International Classification:

A61K038/00
C30B028/04

US Classification:

530/427000, 530/344000, 536/025400, 117/069000, 117/070000

Abstract:

Crystal growth can be initiated and controlled by dynamically controlled vapor diffusion or temperature change. In one aspect, the present invention uses a precisely controlled vapor diffusion approach to monitor and control protein crystal growth. The system utilizes a humidity sensor and various interfaces under computer control to effect virtually any evaporation rate from a number of different growth solutions simultaneously by means of an evaporative gas flow. A static laser light scattering sensor can be used to detect aggregation events and trigger a change in the evaporation rate for a growth solution. A control/follower configuration can be used to actively monitor one chamber and accurately control replicate chambers relative to the control chamber. In a second aspect, the invention exploits the varying solubility of proteins versus temperature to control the growth of protein crystals. This system contains miniature thermoelectric devices under microcomputer control that change temperature as needed to grow crystals of a given protein. Complex temperature ramps are possible using this approach. A static laser light scattering probe also can be used in this system as a non-invasive probe for detection of aggregation events. The automated dynamic control system provides systematic and predictable responses with regard to crystal size. These systems can be used for microgravity crystallization projects, for example in a space shuttle, and for crystallization work under terrestial conditions. The present invention is particularly useful for macromolecular crystallization, e.g. for proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, viruses and virus particles.

US Patent:

60275650, Feb 22, 2000

Filed:

Oct 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/947596

Inventors:

Charles E. Bugg - Birmingham AL
Lawrence L. Delucas - Birmingham AL
Paul P. Trotta - Secaucus NJ
Michael D. Harrington - Birmingham AL
John Bradford Bishop - late of Lindale GA
by Sue C. Bishop - Lindale GA

International Classification:

G30B 3500

US Classification:

117202

Abstract:

An apparatus for producing crystals of a macromolecule in microgravity includes a container 100 which is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity and an open end. A thermally conductive lid 102 is fitted on the open end of the container to close the container and a heat source/sink 114 is provided in thermal contact with the thermally conductive lid to generate a temperature gradient within the container. When a solution of the macromolecule is provided in the container, the temperature gradient induces and control the crystallization of the macromolecule. In operation, a temperature ramp from a start temperature to an end temperature is used to maintain and control the temperature gradient.