Formulatrix Automated Protein Crystallization System

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The commitment of NIH to structural genomics is driving the development of new tools to automate crystallization. But automation can also have a major impact on traditional, problem driven crystallography. Here we propose the purchase of an automated crystallization system for the biological research community at UCLA. The system will consist of (1) a Formulatrix Tecan Evo-150 liquid handling robot for the generation of screening reagents; (2) a Mosquito nanoliter dispensing robot for setting up crystallization trials; and (3) a Formulatrix Rock Imager automated microscope for rapidly imaging the trial results. [unreadable] Success of this grant application will trigger commitments from UCLA that will allow us to create a macromolecular crystallization facility for the campus. In particular, UCLA has set aside a laboratory to house the facility and will provide funds to renovate it. They will also provide salary support to hire a facility manager. Thus, this equipment grant will be the catalyst for creating a new facility at UCLA that will serve our growing needs in structure determination. The facility will not only serve the 5 major and 11 minor users on this grant application, but will be open to anyone on the UCLA campus. [unreadable] The crystallization system will have major benefits for our NIH funded research projects: Cost reduction: The expense of crystallization trial set ups will be reduced by roughly 75% because we will (1) purchase supplies in bulk; (2) have lower labor costs; and (3) no longer buy commercial screens. Increased productivity: Productivity will be enhanced because (1) the nanoliter dispensing robot dramatically reduces the amount of protein needed, making poorly expressed targets accessible to crystallization; (2) automation will facilitate the use of larger screens, improving the chances of success; and (3) automation will eliminate the time consuming and intellectually numbing task of crystallization trial setups, freeing our lab members to do other useful work. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]