Ostwald ripening of clusters during protein crystallization

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Apr 30;104(17):178102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.178102. Epub 2010 Apr 26.

Abstract

Contrary to classical nucleation theory, protein crystals can nucleate via a two-step process in which the molecular arrangement of the ordered solid phase is preceded by nucleation of a dense amorphous phase. We study the growth of these precrystalline clusters in lysozyme using a combination of dynamic light scattering, optical microscopy, and microfluidics. Clusters display Ostwald ripening growth kinetics but deviate from this trend after nucleation of the crystal phase. This behavior arises from the metastable relationship between clusters and the ordered solid and is explained numerically using a population balance model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallization*
  • Kinetics
  • Microfluidics
  • Microscopy
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Muramidase / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Muramidase