User Policy/Access
The Crystallization Facility is open to all members of the Center for Cancer Research. Training must be completed for independent use of facility resources and equipment. The Facility also supports collaborative efforts for all stages of determination of macromolecular structures using X-ray crystallography. To schedule training or inquire about collaborative efforts, please contact Jacek Lubkowski.
The STPLabtech Mosquito liquid handling robot is a robust, reliable tool used in the preparation of crystallization experiments. Many crystallization methods can be done efficiently, including hanging drop, multiple drop per well hanging drop, sitting drop, seeding, additive screens, under oil, multiple protein complexes, sparse matrix screens and optimization screens. In addition to crystallographic experiments the Mosquito can be utilized as an advanced liquid handling system. It can pipette into 96-, 384- and 1536-well SBS format plates and has an accuracy of 20 nL. The Mosquito has been successfully used in a variety of other applications where accurate and precise pipetting of nanoliter volumes of liquid is critical.
The Formulatrix RockImager 1000 is a crystal plate automated imaging system at 20°C with visible and ultraviolet (UV) imaging and a fluorescent stage. The RI-1000 is a powerful tool for crystallographers providing a multitude of uses including scheduling imaging, imaging in visible and UV, cross-polarization and fluorescence. This robust and easy-to-use robot captures superior quality images of up to 1000 crystallization plates from the Oryx6 or Mosquito robots, on a user-defined schedule, utilizing the CRIMS Image Viewing Interface developed at the HTXLab at the EMBL Grenoble.
Additional RI1000 Information:
- Remote viewing of experimental results is done with RockmakerWeb (login).
- Check the Formulatrix website for UV compatibility of your media.
The Crystal Gryphon is a small, fast and affordable option for setting up all of your crystal plates. The Crystal Gryphon fits into tight lab spaces and tight lab budgets.
The 96-channel positive displacement head quickly fills screen reservoirs and protein wells. The head has no disposable tips, so the cost of operation and environmental waste is minimized.
The 1-channel non-contact dispenser quickly aspirates and dispenses your proteins allowing your plate to be sealed without evaporation being a problem. This dispense head is designed specifically to handle proteins, features flow-through washing and positive displacement aspiration, to handle all of your proteins.
Additional Gryphon Information:
The Tecan EVO provides proven liquid handling, with easy-to-use robotics and advanced process control within reach of CCR scientists. The Tecan Freedom Evo liquid handling robot is used to aliquot from larger volume tube formats to 96-well blocks and microplates, as well as creating custom crystallization screens and assays. It can also be used for creating an array of solutions to optimize screening conditions for protein solubility and stability.
Additional TECAN Information:
The crystallization room is equipped with two high-quality stereoscopic microscopes: the SZX12 by Olympus Corp. and the SteREO DISCOVERY.V20 by Carl Zeiss GmbH; both are equipped with digital cameras capable of recording still photographs as well as movies. Furthermore, the Zeiss microscope and its camera can be configured and operated using the company’s software, MicroToolBox 2011 (MTB2011) and ZEN 2011. Both microscopes are equipped with large stages allowing for comfortable manipulation of viewed objects (i.e., crystallization plates or crystals during such common tasks as crystals freezing or transferring between droplets).
