Acta Crystallographica Section D

Biological Crystallography

Volume 62, Part 10 (October 2006)

research papers

Acta Cryst. (2006). D62, 1137-1149 [ doi:10.1107/S090744490602943X ]

SPINE high-throughput crystallization, crystal imaging and recognition techniques: current state, performance analysis, new technologies and future aspects

I. M. Berry, O. Dym, R. M. Esnouf, K. Harlos, R. Meged, A. Perrakis, J. L. Sussman, T. S. Walter, J. Wilson and A. Messerschmidt

Abstract: This paper reviews the developments in high-throughput and nanolitre-scale protein crystallography technologies within the remit of workpackage 4 of the Structural Proteomics In Europe (SPINE) project since the project's inception in October 2002. By surveying the uptake, use and experience of new technologies by SPINE partners across Europe, a picture emerges of highly successful adoption of novel working methods revolutionizing this area of structural biology. Finally, a forward view is taken of how crystallization methodologies may develop in the future.

Keywords: crystallization; automation; minimization.