TY  - JOUR
A1  - Martiel, Isabelle
A1  - Müller-Werkmeister, Henrike
A1  - Cohen, Aina E.
T1  - Strategies for sample delivery for femtosecond crystallography
JF  - Acta Crystallographica : Section D, Structural biology
N2  - Highly efficient data-collection methods are required for successful macromolecular crystallography (MX) experiments at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). XFEL beamtime is scarce, and the high peak brightness of each XFEL pulse destroys the exposed crystal volume. It is therefore necessary to combine diffraction images from a large number of crystals (hundreds to hundreds of thousands) to obtain a final data set, bringing about sample-refreshment challenges that have previously been unknown to the MX synchrotron community. In view of this experimental complexity, a number of sample delivery methods have emerged, each with specific requirements, drawbacks and advantages. To provide useful selection criteria for future experiments, this review summarizes the currently available sample delivery methods, emphasising the basic principles and the specific sample requirements. Two main approaches to sample delivery are first covered: (i) injector methods with liquid or viscous media and (ii) fixed-target methods using large crystals or using microcrystals inside multi-crystal holders or chips. Additionally, hybrid methods such as acoustic droplet ejection and crystal extraction are covered, which combine the advantages of both fixed-target and injector approaches.
KW  - sample delivery
KW  - serial femtosecond crystallography
KW  - protein microcrystals
KW  - XFELs
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1107/S2059798318017953
SN  - 2059-7983
SN  - 0907-4449
VL  - 75
SP  - 160
EP  - 177
PB  - Bognor Regis
CY  - Wiley
ER  -