Macromolecular Crystallization Lab

As part of the Molecular Observatory at Caltech, the crystallization facility provides equipment and expertise in obtaining single crystals suitable for macromolecular crystallography.

Available Equipment

• The Rigaku Alchemist is used to design and create 96 well deep block crystallization screens.
• The TTP Mosquito and the Art Robbins Gryphon Nano and Gryphon LCP are used to set up 96 well crystallization plates using screens in deep well blocks.
• The Rigaku Minstrel is used to maintain crystallization plates at either 4C or 20C and to automatically image the drops in the plate at given intervals. Drop images are available online to assess for crystallization hits.
• The facility also keeps a Korima UV microscope for distinguishing protein crystals from salt at room temperature, and a Nikon SMZ-800 stereomicroscope.

Procedures

To use any of the above equipment, contact Pavle Nikolovski using the information to the right. Please note that some services are assessed fees, and that the most current standard operating procedures should always be followed when using facility equipment.