Service / Technology Instance

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View All Crystallisation at Instruct

The 'From Sample to X-ray Diffraction' platform at EMBL Hamburg offers services for obtaining crystal structures from molecules of interest. Services include: sample characterization by various biophyscial methods, sample optimization, high-throughput crystallization, robotic crystal harvesting, diffraction data collection on synchrotron beamlines, data processing, and support in structure solution and refinement.

EMBL Hamburg operates three beamlines at the PETRA III synchrotron ring, two for macromolecular X-ray crystallography and one for small angle X-ray scattering on biological macromolecules. Academic access to the beamlines is available to all research groups, and is prioritised on scientific grounds only. All proposals for beamline access are evaluated by the Project Evaluation Committee.

EMBL beamlines also offer possibilities for mail-in and remote access. Users are encouraged to contact the beamline responsibles for further details.

The Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) facility supports users on the beamline and in addition offers expertise to check and improve the samples that are submitted to the crystallisation facility and the SAXS beamline.

Instruments Available:

 Beamline P13  Beamline P14  High-throughput protein crystallization  Robotic crystal harvesting  Sample characterisation and quality control

User Guide

(a) Macromolecular Crystallography

The EMBL Beamlines P12, P13 and P14 on the PETRA III Synchrothron DESY, Hamburg provide optimum conditions for X-ray diffraction data collection:

• Ultimate-quality data collection on large (>50 µm) crystals with a ‘top-hat’ profile beam.
• Serial data collection on micro-crystals (< 10 µm) at cryogenic temperature or in situ in CrystalDirectTM plates.
• Phasing by anomalous diffraction between 18 and 3.8 ke using standard mounting technologies.
• Diffraction data collection from crystals with large unit cells (up to 2000 Å).
• Sub-atomic resolution (< 0.8 Å) data collection.
• Data collection on small molecule crystals.

We offer a pipeline for structure determination with various entry and exit points.

> Beamtime only

For experienced crystallographers who wish to carry out their experiments themselves. Of course, an experienced member of our team will be there to provide you with the necessary technical support during the experiment.

>Remote Access

For researchers who need additional flexibility, we provide remote access services allowing data collection from home. All you have to do is ship your samples to us and you will be assigned a member of our team that will handle your samples with care and assist you when needed during data collection. Experiments are carried out entirely by you via a network connection.

>Mail-in Data Collection

Using Mail-in data collection service allows you to ship your samples to us and our experienced team members will do the rest. Depending on your requirements, you will receive the collected data from us in raw and / or processed format.

>Crystal Direct Harvester

Crystal Direct Harvester is in operation at EMBL Hamburg. For automated crystal harvesting in CD-plates, please contact mx@embl-hamburg.de.

 

(b) High-throughput protein crystallization

SPC at EMBL Hamburg has established a fully automated platform for the high-throughput crystallization of biological macromolecules, starting from your sample on the tube until having your sample dispensed and being set up on different plates and screens according to your samples’s needs.

The SPC crystallization core facility include the following services:

 

High throughput soluble protein crystallization

• Vapour diffusion crystallization screening in hanging and sitting drop
• Low volume handling for seeding and additives
• Low volume crystallization screening (100nl protein sample + 100nl crystallization screen)
• >30 commercial screens (sparse matrix, grid screen, additive screen, alternative screen)

 

High throughput membrane protein crystallization

• Accessories for LCP preparation onsite available (LCP syringe, Syringe coupling, LCP mixer, incubator)
• Automatic setup of crystallization trays using Mosquito-LCP
• Default protocol for LCP experiment: 80nl LCP/protein solution + 800nl crystallization screen
• Commercial screens available for membrane protein and LCP experiments
• Individual training for LCP preparation available on demand

 

Automated imaging and results available remotely

• Crystallization plates are stored at 19°C or at 4 °C in our RockImagers.
• Automated inspection includes inspection up to 3 months. Users can customized inspection schedule on demand.
• Possibility to have imaging using Vis/UV to distinguish between protein and salt crystals.
• Pictures along with all the experimental parameters accessible remotely through the web-based Crystallization Information Management System (password protected).

 

Optional sample characterization and quality control on in-coming samples

 The identification of crystallisation conditions for biological molecules largely relies on a trial-and-error process in which a number of parameters are explored in large screening experiments. A significant effort is dedicated to sample characterization and quality-control experiments in order to identify at an early stage and prioritize those samples which would be more likely to crystallize. The SPC facility can perform MALDI-TOF analysis, thermal denaturation assay, nanoDSF or DLS and MP on samples submitted to the SPC crystallization platform on request. These methods provide additional information to the users which can be used to optimize protein stability and determine optimal temperatures for crystallization experiments.

Instruct Centre

EMBL Hamburg

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