50th Rigaku ACTOR™ robotic protein crystal handling system purchased by
the Medical Research Council
The Woodlands, TX — May 8, 2008. Rigaku Americas Corporation is pleased to announce the sale of
the 50th Rigaku ACTOR
robotic protein crystal handling system to the Medical Research Council (MRC)
Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK. The system was chosen by the
MRC as an upgrade for their in-house X-ray diffraction facilities and in support
of crystallographic studies carried out in the laboratory, which seek to
understand the structure, function and interactions of biologically important
molecules at the atomic, molecular and supra-molecular level. A significant
milestone for Rigaku, sale of the 50th ACTOR will be marked by a special
commemorative plaque affixed to the exterior of the instrument. Dr. Andrew
Leslie, Group Leader for structural studies of macromolecular complexes within
the Division of Structural Studies, commented, "I'm personally delighted
that we are getting the 50th system, congratulations to all concerned!"
As the world's first commercial robotic system for automated
crystal sample mounting and storage, ACTOR eliminates much of the physical
handling of samples by crystallographers required during routine screening and
data collection either in the lab or at the beamline. It is an automated system
designed to store frozen protein crystals, mount them sequentially, align them
to the X-ray beam, collect complete data sets, and return the crystals to
storage.
The ACTOR automated crystal mounting and data collection
technology was co-developed by Rigaku with Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS), a
division of Oceaneering International, Inc., under a
license from Abbott® Laboratories for the purpose of offering a commercial
high-throughput crystallography automation system. Astex™ Therapeutics Ltd.
(Cambridge, UK) purchased the first ACTOR system in 20011. In 2002, the Rigaku
ACTOR was honored with an R&D
100 Award for technical innovation. In 2005, Rigaku introduced a version of
robot for small molecule chemical crystallography called the ACTOR
SM.
About MRC
The UK Medical Research Council is a publicly funded organisation
dedicated to improving human health through world-class medical research. To
achieve this, it supports research across the biomedical spectrum, from
fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, and in all major disease
areas. The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology is recognised internationally
for the excellence of its research, and has major programmes in structural
biology aimed at understanding biological processes at the molecular level.
Rigaku—Leading With Innovation
Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of
analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its
subsidiaries form a global group focused on life sciences and general
purpose analytical instrumentation. With hundreds of major innovations to
their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in the
fields of small molecule and protein crystallography, X-ray spectrometry and
diffraction, X-ray optics, as well as semiconductor metrology. Rigaku
employs over 1,100 people in the manufacture and support of its analytical
equipment. Its products are in use in more than 70 countries—supporting
research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the
world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation
within the global scientific and industrial community.
For further information, contact:
Eric J. Hnath, Ph.D.
Director of Sales & Marketing, Life Sciences
tel: 281-362-2300 x242
Eric.Hnath@Rigaku.com
1 Structure, Vol. 8, R243-R246,
December 2000
