AdaptoCell: Microfluidics at MAX IV Laboratory

The AdaptoCell project at MAX IV has developed a microfluidic sample delivery platform for academic and industrial users to enable studies of protein samples in solution and in microcrystals underflow. The platform is compatible with various X-ray techniques and has so far been integrated onto two beamlines at MAX IV: the CoSAXS beamline for small angle X-ray scattering studies and the Balder beamline for X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies. Initial implementation of the platform for serial crystallography sample delivery is ongoing and will be integrated onto the BioMAX and MicroMAX beamlines once commissioned. With this platform, we aim to meet the demand from our user community for studying proteins at physiologically relevant temperatures and give the ability to follow dynamical processes in situ as well as decreasing sample volumes and radiation damage. To determine the optimized flow rates and components for mixing etc. using different microfluidic chips, a dedicated off(beam)line test station with a microscope has been established at the Biolab. The Biolab also provides a number of characterization techniques, such as Dynamic Light Scattering, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, for quality control of the samples; as well as an anaerobic chamber for preparation and characterization of metalloproteins. The microfluidic flows are controlled via syringe pumps or a pressure-driven system. Channel design varies, depending on the needs of the experiment, from straight channel, cross-junction to herringbone micromixers etc. On-chip mixing of buffers with different viscosity, pH, ion strength and protein concentrations has been demonstrated successful and will be presented.