Device and method for pressure-driven plug transport and reaction

Abstract

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

1 . A capillary tube comprising a plurality of plugs in an immiscible carrier-fluid, where a cross section of each plug is substantially the same size as a cross section of the capillary tube, said plurality of plugs comprising at least one plug having a crystallized target substance. 
   
   
       2 . The capillary tube of  claim 1 , where the crystallization target is a member of the group consisting of protein, peptide, polynucleotide, oligonucleotide, subcellular organelle, subcellular protein complex, drug, small molecule/biological macromolecule complex, virus, colloidal particle, nanoparticle. and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The capillary tube of  1 , where the crystallization target is a first protein. 
   
   
       4 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the first protein is bound to a synthetic molecule or a small molecule. 
   
   
       5 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the first protein is bound to a drug. 
   
   
       6 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the first protein is bound to a second protein or peptide. 
   
   
       7 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the first protein is bound to a member of the group consisting of oligonucleotides, carbohydrates and sugars. 
   
   
       8 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the carrier-fluid comprises an oil. 
   
   
       9 . The capillary tube of  claim 3 , where the carrier-fluid comprises a fluorinated compound.