Fabrice Gorrec,
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, UK
Title: Automated protocols for macromolecular crystallization at the MRCLaboratory of Molecular Biology
Biography
Biography: Fabrice Gorrec,
Abstract
When high quality crystals are obtained that diff ract x-rays, the crystal structure may be solved at near atomic resolution.
Th e conditions to crystallize proteins, DNAs, RNAs and their complexes can however not be predicted. Employing
a broad variety of conditions is a way to increase the yield of quality diff raction crystals. Two fully automated systems have
been developed at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, England, MRC-LMB) that facilitate crystallization
screening against 1,920 initial conditions by vapor diff usion in nano liter droplets. Semi-automated protocols have also
been developed to optimize conditions by changing the concentrations of reagents, the pH, or by introducing additives that
potentially enhance properties of the resulting crystals. All the corresponding protocols will be described in detail and briefl y
discussed. Taken together, they enable convenient and highly effi cient macromolecular crystallization in a multi-user facility,
while giving the users control over key parameters of their experiments.