Intrasectoral zoning of proteins and nucleotides in simple crystalline hosts

Oriented gases of biopolymers in simple, single crystal hosts might be used to measure anisotropic molecular properties of analytes that could not otherwise be crystallized. Here we show two types of crystals as examples of the single crystal matrix isolation of biopolymers: green fluorescent protein in α-lactose monohydrate as a model system for studying the kinetic stabilization of biopharmaceuticals, and adenosine phosphates in potassium dihydrogen phosphate, a first step in the matrix isolation of oligonucleotides. In each case, the hosts undergo compositional zoning-both intersectoral and intrasectoral-during growth from solution. Intrasectoral zoning is evident by the selective luminescence of adjacent vicinal slopes of growth active hillocks. Nucleotides furthermore distinguish between symmetry related growth sectors enantioselectively.