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Novel method that uses hydrogel based molecularly imprinted polymers (HydroMIPs) for protein crystallization, providing a higher yield of protein crystals over current techniques. This method also works with protein structures that are difficult to crystallise using other methods
About
MIPs are polymers which are formed in the presence of a molecule which once extracted leaves behind complamentary cavities. These allow highly selective rebinding of the original molecule. Obtaining useful crystals remains a problem in proteomics and structural biology. Previously identified nucleants with desirable properties for the task fall down because they have no specificity for individual proteins however our novel technique takes this difficulty away as the MIPs are designed specifically to attract a template protein. Benefits MIPs act as effective nucleants for the formation of large single crystals of otherwise hard to crystallize proteins Improved accuracy in screening experiments leading to successful hits missed by other types of nucleant Applications Protein Crystallization Protein purification/isolation Replacement of biological antibodies in immunoassays Catalysis Biosensors for medicine, food and the environment