Rapid Acquisition of X‐Ray Scattering Data from Droplet‐Encapsulated Protein Systems. Issue 10 (10th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saldanha, Oliva; Graceffa, Rita; Hémonnot, Clément Y. J.; Ranke, Christiane; Brehm, Gerrit; Liebi, Marianne; Marmiroli, Benedetta; Weinhausen, Britta; Burghammer, Manfred; Köster, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Chemphyschem. Volume 18:Issue 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1220
• Page End: 1223
• Publication Date: 2017-04-10
• Subjects: cytoskeletal intermediate filaments -- microfluidics -- small-angle X-ray scattering -- vimentin -- water-in-oil emulsions; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201700221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Encapsulating reacting biological or chemical samples in microfluidic droplets has the great advantage over single‐phase flows of providing separate reaction compartments. These compartments can be filled in a combinatoric way and prevent the sample from adsorbing to the channel walls. In recent years, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) in combination with microfluidics has evolved as a nanoscale method of such systems. Here, we approach two major challenges associated with combining droplet microfluidics and SAXS. First, we present a simple, versatile, and reliable device, which is both suitable for stable droplet formation and compatible with in situ X‐ray measurements. Second, we solve the problem of "diluting" the sample signal by the signal from the oil separating the emulsion droplets by multiple fast acquisitions per droplet and data thresholding. We show that using our method, even the weakly scattering protein vimentin provides high signal‐to‐noise ratio data. Abstract : X‐ray signal from droplets : Protein assembly is investigated by combining droplet microfluidics and X‐ray scattering. The study is based on short, sequential acquisitions and is carried out by translating the spatial coordinate along the outflow to reaction time points in the assembly process.