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Automated seeding for the optimization of crystal quality
Author(s) -
Khurshid Sahir,
Haire Lesley F.,
Chayen Naomi E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889810017413
Subject(s) - seeding , computer science , throughput , robot , nanotechnology , materials science , process engineering , artificial intelligence , engineering , operating system , wireless , aerospace engineering
With the advent of structural genomics a variety of crystallization techniques have been automated and applied to high‐throughput pipelines, yet seeding, which is the most common and successful optimization method, is still being performed predominantly manually. The aim of this study was to devise simple automated seeding techniques that can be applied in a routine manner using existing robots and not requiring special tools. Two alternative protocols for automated seeding experiments are described. One involves the delivery of microcrystals from stock to target wells using the robot dispensing tip as a seeding tool. The second harnesses an animal whisker as the seeding tool. Larger and better ordered crystals were obtained using both techniques.