Crystallisation

Crystallisation of macromolecules

The use of robotics allows the miniaturisation of crystallisation experiments and enables us to screen a wide range of conditions from limited sample volumes. To increase the probability of growing crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction studies, our team uses many well known optimisation techniques to improve on initial hits.

■ Drop dispensing

  • ​Vapour diffusion - for traditional single-pin diffraction or in-tray diffraction
  • Lipidic cubic phase (LCP)

■ Hit optimisation

  • ​Custom (fine) screen making
  • Additive screening
  • Seeding

■ Liquid handing robots

  • NT8 (Formulatrix) – nanolitre-volume liquid handler for dispensing all crystallisation drops, including LCP.
  • Mosquito LCP (STP Labtech) – using positive displacement technology for dispensing crystallisation drops and LCP.
  • Crystal Phoenix (Art Robbins) – featuring nano-dispensing capability and 96 syringe head for simultaneous transfer of screen solutions.
  • Formulator (Formulatrix) – liquid handler that uses microfluidic technology, for dispensing custom optimisation screens.
Mosquito LCP
Mosquito LCP
Formulatrix
NT8

Incubation and automated plate imaging

We house four automated Rock Imagers 1000 (Formulatrix), with a combined capacity to incubate and automatically inspect up to 4000 crystallisation plates, providing visible, UV and SONICC technology imaging at either 20℃ or 4℃.

Remote access to drop images

Users can inspect crystallisation drop images remotely via a web link to MMCP’s Rock Maker system.