The 1.45 Å structure of E. coli N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid lyase in complex with pyruvate in space group P2₁2₁2₁ is reported from new low-salt crystallization conditions that will facilitate soaking experiments with substrates and inhibitors.

A pipeline for rapid room-temperature crystal structure determination using a crystallization facility linked to the automated in situ beamline VMXi at Diamond Light Source is described.