X-ray Crystallography Facility

The crystallisation equipment provided by the facility allows researchers to prepare a variety of samples for X-ray diffraction. Methods available at the facility include high-throughput screening using a library of commercially available crystallisation screens; custom crystallisation screens (using a Dragonfly liquid handing robot); crystallisation using a limited supply of protein (using a Mosquito liquid handling robot) and microseeding. Crystallisation plates can be imaged using our SpectroLight 610 DLS system that also includes UV imaging capabilities allowing users to distinguish protein crystal from salt crystals.

Users of the facility have access to a Rigaku FRX X-ray system, which can be used for in-house screening prior to synchrotron trips, principally to Diamond Light Source, Oxford.

For more information, please contact the facility manager, Dr Stephen Hearnshaw. 

Equipment:

• SPT Labtech Mosquito
• The mosquito crystal combines speed, accuracy, and high precision pipetting of nanolitre volumes with zero cross-contamination from a disposable tip. Volumes as low as 10 nL on multi-aspirate allow researchers to make the most of precious protein samples while benefiting from the adaptability to easily change methods to accommodate individual projects.

• SPT Labtech Dragonfly
• The dragonfly crystal focuses specifically on protein crystal optimization, enabling rapid and accurate preparation of complex crystallization gradients or optimization screen, even with viscous liquids, while eliminating cross-contamination. The dragonfly partners seamlessly with mosquito in the protein crystallization screening workflow, streamlining the cycle between initial ‘hit’ identification and high-resolution diffracting crystals.

• XtalConcepts SpectroLight 610
• The SpectroLight 610 is a powerful desktop device capable of fully automated measurements of particle sizes via dynamic light scattering (DLS) in small volumes of 0.08 - 2ml using 96-well format plates. These features make the SpectroLight 610 ideal for many laboratory applications such as sample quality or stability analysis and buffer screening. Besides DLS, the SpectroLight 610 provides a built-in microscope that can be used as a fully automated imaging system for rapid crystallisation plate imaging and protein crystal determination via the devices UV imaging capabilities.