Development and characterization of temperature-controlled microreactors for protein crystallization

Physico‐chemical properties of the crystallization of biological macromolecules are of particular interest for an efficient way to get high‐quality crystals. Concept and realization of a novel temperature‐controlled microreactor to study these parameters is revealed. The characterization of the device is focussed on the temperature distribution across the reaction chamber, its long‐term stability and accuracy as well as the regeneration of the surface inside the chamber after contamination with a hydrophilic protein (rGFP). We conclude that a microreactor for in situ observation of a temperature‐controlled batch crystallization is in place.