Acta Crystallographica Section D

Biological Crystallography

Volume 62, Part 10 (October 2006)

research papers

Acta Cryst. (2006). D62, 1251-1259 [ doi:10.1107/S0907444906030587 ]

Automation of sample mounting for macromolecular crystallography

F. Cipriani, F. Felisaz, L. Launer, J.-S. Aksoy, H. Caserotto, S. Cusack, M. Dallery, F. di-Chiaro, M. Guijarro, J. Huet, S. Larsen, M. Lentini, J. McCarthy, S. McSweeney, R. Ravelli, M. Renier, C. Taffut, A. Thompson, G. A. Leonard and M. A. Walsh

Abstract: A standard sample holder and vial for cryocooled macromolecular crystals has been defined for use with robotic sample changers. This SPINE standard sample holder is a modified version, with added features and specifications, of sample holders in common use. In particular, the SPINE standard meets the precision required for automatic sample exchange and includes a cap that is identified by a two-dimensional datamatrix code as well as an optional vial. At the ESRF, the sample holder standard is in use with the EMBL/ESRF/BM14 robotic sample changer (SC3) which is installed on eight beamlines. The SC3 can hold up to 50 crystals stored in five baskets. A datamatrix reader in the SC3 ensures safe management of the sample flow and facilitates fully automatic screening and characterization of samples. Tools for handling and transporting 50 samples in a dry shipping dewar have been developed. In addition to the SC3, the SPINE sample holder is currently compatible with a number of other robotic sample changers.

Keywords: SPINE sample holder standard; datamatrix identification; beamline automation; robotic sample changer; LIMS; cryo crystal mount.