High throughput systems

The goal of high throughput protein crystallization is to maximize the number of high-quality crystals suitable for X-ray analysis for as many proteins as possible. Success of this approach critically depends on the ability to standardize experimental setup and execution, and is therefore best suited for well-established workflows.

Who uses high throughput approaches?

High throughput CrystalMation™ system

Structural genomics centers such as the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSD) or the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) spearheaded the development of high throughput crystallization techniques. High throughput approaches are also used in pharmaceutical research to understand how compounds bind to selected targets. These co-crystallization workflows screen large libraries of compounds to find molecules that bind to specific receptor sites, and to understand the structural implications of the protein-compound binding.

A video introduction to our high throughput imager, the Minstrel™ HT UV

Our approach

The Integration Module transferring a deep well block

Rigaku has partnered closely with most research centers involved in high throughput crystallization. The result of this collaboration is the CrystalMation system, a protein crystallization platform that fully automates all steps in the crystallization pipeline, including screen production, experimental plate setup, incubation and inspection of the protein drop experiments. The system is designed to be modular. This means::

• Each pipeline task is represented by an instrument that can also be used in standalone mode.
• Configuration of the CrystalMation system can be matched to individual throughput needs.
• Throughput capacity of the system can be increased as your R&D workflows change.

The individual instrument modules are combined into a fully automated platform using a device called the Integration Module. The Integration Module, together with its control software, manages the transfer of experimental plates and deep well blocks between instrument stations, and performs auxiliary tasks such as tape sealing, mixing, foil sealing and piercing. 

Experimental results generated by the system are managed and analyzed by CrystalTrak, a software platform that is also used to set up experimental screens and define inspection schedules. Since all data are kept in a centralized database, researchers can always retrieve all parameters that define a specific sample at any given time — a key requirement without which reproducibility is impossible.

High throughput products

• Alchemist™ HT — Screen maker
• Phoenix™ HT — Drop setter
• Minstrel™ HT and Gallery™ HT — Drop imager and plate hotel/incubator
• CrystalTrak™ — Data management and analysis