Protein crystals are grown under controlled temperature, concentration and vapor pressure conditions, usually by vapor
diffusion, liquid-liquid diffusion and dialysis techniques. The present study examines the effects of protein
concentration, drop size and reservoir height on the crystal growth of Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL). Crystals are
grown by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method using Modular VDXTM Plates. Due to the vapor pressure difference
created between the protein drop and the reservoir, evaporation takes place till equilibrium is attained. Crystal formation
takes place after a certain level of supersaturation is attained when the protein precipitates out in crystalline form. The
observations revealed that the growth is faster for higher lysozyme concentration, smaller drop sizes and larger reservoir
heights. The morphology of the crystals is viewed during the growth process using stereomicroscope. The number of
crystals formed is the maximum for higher concentrations, drop sizes and reservoir heights. When the number of crystals
formed is less, the size of the crystals is comparatively larger. The effect of evaporation of water vapor from the protein
drop into the reservoir is studied using Mach-Zehnder interferometry. The recorded interferograms and shadowgraph
images indicate the diffusion of condensed water into the reservoir. The radius of the drop is determined using the
shadowgraph images of the growth process. The radius decreases with evaporation and the rate of decrease of radius is
highest for higher protein concentrations, smaller drop sizes and larger reservoir heights.
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