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View All Crystallisation at Instruct
This service, Serial Crystallography Sample Preparation, provides expert support for optimal sample preparation using our staff’s expertise and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
We provide comprehensive support for the preparation of samples used in serial crystallography experiments. Our expertise covers the entire process from microcrystal growth and optimization, ensuring that samples meet the specific requirements for high-quality serial crystallography experiments.
Users have access to fully equipped laboratory facilities for protein microcrystallization. Facility staff assists researchers in developing and refining crystallization conditions, with particular emphasis on generating stable and uniform microcrystals suitable for serial data collection.
We offer guidance in evaluating crystal quality through microscopic inspection and diffraction testing, and in optimizing parameters such as crystal size distribution and concentration. For users new to the field, tailored consultation and training can be provided to ensure successful sample preparation workflows for XFEL beamtime.
This service is available through both remote and on-site access.
The facility provides consultation and support for beamtime proposal writing, assisting users in defining experimental strategies, describing sample delivery approaches, and articulating technical feasibility. Our staff can help researchers refine their proposal sections related to sample preparation and delivery, improving the overall clarity and competitiveness of submissions.
This service is available through both remote and on-site access, depending on users’ needs and the nature of the planned experiments.
Instruments available
-Formulatrix NT8, crystallization robot
-Tecan EVO 100, Liquid handling robot
-Formulatrix SONICC, microcrystal imaging system
-Cytiva AKTA, protein purification system
-Wyatt DynaPro NanoStar, DLS
-Xtal Concepts SpectroLight 610, DLS
Crystallization Robot, Formulatrix NT8
- NT8 is a nanolitre-volume crystallization robot with drop dispensing capability, including setting drops for Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) experiments under humidity control. The 8-tip head aspirates and dispenses drops from 10 nL to 1.5 μL
Liquid Handling Robot, Tecan EVO 100
-EVO 100 is modular liquid handling workstation that automates pipetting. This device is used to prepare optimization crystallization screens.
DLS (dynamic light scattering)
Wyatt DynaPro NanoStar
Xtal Concepts SpectroLight 610
DLS/zeta-potential analyzer, Malvern Zetasizer Advance-Ultra
- The Wyatt DynaPro NanoStar and XtalConcept SpectroLight 610 are DLS instruments used to measure the size and size distribution of nanoparticles, proteins, and other macromolecules in solution. The Malvern Zetasizer Advance Ultra additionally measures zeta potential to assess colloidal stability. These instruments can be used to evaluate the quality of proteins prior to crystallization and to determine the size and distribution of protein micro- and nanocrystals.
Microcrystal imaging system, Formulatrix SONICC
-SONICC (Second Order Nonlinear Imaging of Chiral Crystals) is an automated imaging system to detect tiny or hidden protein crystals using Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Ultraviolet Two-Photon Excited Fluorescence (UV-TPEF) techniques.
Protein Purification System, Cytiva ÄKTA pure
-The ÄKTA pure is a liquid chromatography system used for the purification of biomolecules When difficulties arise in producing high-quality protein microcrystals, it is often used to repeat the final purification step to ensure protein quality.
Consulting on beamtime proposal writing
- The service provides support for beamtime proposal preparation, assisting researchers in defining experimental strategies based on the sample preparation. This service is particularly beneficial for researchers who are new to serial crystallography.
