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Collaborative Crystallography

[edit] Introduction

Over the last couple of years, advances in hardware and software have transformed protein crystallography into a standard technique for obtaining detailed structural information. In order to provide both expert and non-expert academic users more extended service, a Collaborative Crystallography program is now available for non-proprietary users of the sector 5 beam lines. The CC program is a pilot study for the duration of one year. Continuation will depend on the successes obtained during this period.

[edit] Benefits

Fast availability of synchrotron beam time and having data collected by expert crystallographers at the BCSB who know the hardware on the beam lines, can prove to be a significant advantage for the user in terms of:

• Turn around time in crystal structure determination
• Efficiency of beam time use
• Reduced travel costs
• Success of structure solution

[edit] How does it work

User groups that wish to participate in the CC program, will have to submit a project proposal containing a brief description of their research as part of the standard procedure for applying for beam time. A competitive proposal review will take place every two months. Proposals will be accepted on the basis of the scores obtained in the review process as well as availability of beam time in the CC pilot program. Once a proposal has been approved, the proposal contact will notified.

Typically, we expect users to submit a project proposal for a project involving a single structure of interest or a family of related proteins. After a project has been accepted, CC time will be scheduled on the basis of the availability of beam time and personnel. When the structure has been solved or the goals stated in the project proposal have been achieved, participants are encouraged to apply for more beam time for other projects or structures.

When a project has been approved, our administrative staff will contact you on how to send us crystals. After the crystals have arrived, the project will be assigned to local crystallographers, who will collect and process the data. After the data is collected, crystals and dewars will be shipped back to you together with a set of DVDs containing the collected images and processed data or with instructions on how to download the results.

[edit] Efficient data collection

In order to increase the efficiency, we encourage users to end us crystals mounted in ALS style pucks. Please note the restrictions on the pin and bases types that our sample changer can handle.

If you do not have ALS or uni-pucks in your lab, and you are sending more than 16 crystals, we can send you a set of loaner pucks. In this case, we will not return your crystals to avoid a possible shortage of loaner pucks for other users.

Before sending out crystals, make sure you have filled out the experimental info sheet. Please note that we will not be able to collect data if the experimental info sheet has not been supplied to us.

[edit] Conditions

To participate in the Collaborative Crystallography pilot program, users must have a valid Collaborative Crystallography agreement in place. Furthermore, users agree to comply with the CC terms of Collaboration.

[edit] Questions/Contact Information

Feel free to obtain more information by contacting our staff at BCSBCC@lbl.gov.

 For administrative questions please contact:

• Gari Kloss 510-486-4350
• Stacey Ortega 510-495-2450

For scientific and technical questions please contact:

• Banumathi Sankaran 510-486-6511