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I have obtained crystals in Hampton Crustal Screen 2, condition 26.The
condition has the following components:
1. 0.2 M ammonium sulphate
2. 0.1 M MES buffer pH 6.5
3. 30% PEG mononmethyl ether 5,000.

When I try to prepare the screen in-house, I use the Hampton stocks of 3.5
M ammonium sulphate and 50%  PEG mononmethyl ether 5,000. I make the MES
buffer using MES hydrate, SigmaUltra from Sigma and maintain the pH
accurately. The water I use is filtered MilliQ. However, the PEG MME and
the rest of the solution remains immiscible and thus, forms droplets of
separated PEG when I set up crystallization. The original condition from
Hampton has no such problems and gives good crystals.

Can anyone let me know how to overcome the problem insolubility of PEG MME
in the buffer mix? I have not faced such problems with other conditions
which I prepare in house and have PEG in them. Further, it's not possible
for me to use the original screen all the time.

Thanks a lot!


Regards

-- 
Nazia Nasir
PhD Scholar
Protein Crystallography Lab
National Institute of Immunology
New Delhi