Automated sample mounting and technical advance alignment system for biological crystallography at a synchrotron source

Journal Article · Wed Jan 07 04:00:00 EST 2004 · Structure

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2004.03.011· OSTI ID:837930

Snell, Gyorgy ^[1]; Cork, Carl; Nordmeyer, Robert; Cornell, Earl; Meigs, George; Yegian, Derek; Jaklevic, Joseph; Jin, Jian; Stevens, Raymond C; Earnest, Thomas

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1. LBNL Library

High-throughput data collection for macromolecular crystallography requires an automated sample mounting system for cryo-protected crystals that functions reliably when integrated into protein-crystallography beamlines at synchrotrons. Rapid mounting and dismounting of the samples increases the efficiency of the crystal screening and data collection processes, where many crystals can be tested for the quality of diffraction. The sample-mounting subsystem has random access to 112 samples, stored under liquid nitrogen. Results of extensive tests regarding the performance and reliability of the system are presented. To further increase throughput, we have also developed a sample transport/storage system based on ''puck-shaped'' cassettes, which can hold sixteen samples each. Seven cassettes fit into a standard dry shipping Dewar. The capabilities of a robotic crystal mounting and alignment system with instrumentation control software and a relational database allows for automated screening and data collection to be developed.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy; National Institutes of Health. General Medical Sciences. Protein Structure Initiative Grants GM62648-03 and GM62412-04 and GM064655-01 (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 837930
• Report Number(s): LBNL--54790
• Journal Information: Structure, Journal Name: Structure Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ALIGNMENT
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
DIFFRACTION
EFFICIENCY
NITROGEN
PERFORMANCE
RELIABILITY
ROBOTICS BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY SYNCHROTRON
SYNCHROTRONS