Fluorine-Substituted Layered Silicate for Protein Crystallization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for searching protein crystallization conditions are inefficient, often resulting in no crystal formation or waste of precious protein samples due to insufficient promotion of crystal nucleation and stability issues with existing layered silicate agents.

Innovation Solution

A water-swellable layered silicate with a fluorine atom and hydroxyl group, covalently bonded through isomorphous substitution, is used to enhance protein crystal nucleation and stability, allowing for improved operability and uniform dispersibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional layered silicate agents are used to promote protein crystallization, then crystal formation is enhanced, but the agents suffer from stability issues and poor dispersibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal formation promotionVSAvoidagent stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fluorine atoms at specific positions in the layered silicate structure and controls the Si/F molar ratio to optimize crystal nucleation promotion while maintaining agent stability. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance between promotion effectiveness and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by incorporating fluorine-containing groups into the layered silicate structure, forming a new compound that combines the crystal promotion properties of layered silicate with the stability and dispersibility enhancements provided by fluorine substitution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If extensive trial-and-error examinations are performed to determine crystallization conditions, then comprehensive condition search is achieved, but precious protein samples are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondition search efficiencyVSAvoidprotein sample waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorine-containing layered silicate agent is introduced as a preliminary additive that pre-promotes crystal nucleation before the actual crystallization process. This preliminary action increases the likelihood of successful crystallization in fewer trials, thereby reducing protein sample waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The layered silicate agent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates protein crystal nucleation by providing a surface template. This mediator enables crystallization under milder conditions with fewer trials needed, reducing protein consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional screening methods are used for protein crystallization, then comprehensive condition assessment is possible, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondition assessment capabilityVSAvoidscreening time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By optimizing the Si/F molar ratio and fluorine content in the layered silicate agent, the patent enhances crystal nucleation efficiency, which accelerates the crystallization process and reduces the time required for screening while maintaining comprehensive condition assessment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If high protein concentration is used to promote crystallization, then crystal formation is enhanced, but the operability and handling become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal formationVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorine-containing layered silicate serves as an intermediary nucleation promoter that enables crystal formation at lower protein concentrations by providing a template surface. This reduces the need for high protein concentrations, improving operability and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The agent efficiently promotes protein crystal formation with a lower protein load, reducing waste and enabling effective crystallization conditions to be determined with reduced trial-and-error efforts.

Implementation Method 1

a water-swellable layered silicate having a fluorine atom and a hydroxyl group, in which the fluorine atom is covalently bonded to the silicate by isomorphous substitution with the hydroxyl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIsomorphous substitution:

Implementation Method 2

The agent efficiently promotes protein crystal formation with a lower protein load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystal nucleation: Nucleation

Implementation Method 3

water-swellable layered silicate having a fluorine atom and a hydroxyl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater swelling:

Data Source

PatentUS10175183B2Agent for searching for protein crystallization conditions and method of searching for protein crystallization conditions

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 KUNIMINE IND CO LTD

AI summary

An agent for searching for protein crystallization conditions, containing a water-swellable layered silicate having a fluorine atom and a hydroxyl group, wherein the fluorine atom is covalently bonded to the silicate by isomorphous substitution with the hydroxyl group. A method of searching for protein crystallization conditions, which comprises a step of mixing the agent for searching for protein crystallization conditions described above and a solution in which a protein is dissolved.