Biostruct Laboratory

Written on 06 October 2021.

The Biostruct laboratory was installed in May 2011, based on a major grant from the National Innovation Office. The laboratory is located in the Ch building of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics since then. The state-of-the-art infrastructure allows crystallization and crystallography of small molecular compounds as well as macromolecules and their complexes. 

In 2021, we participated at the 6th European Crystallographic School between 4-10th of July. We hosted a laboratory practice that includes a video on protein crystallization and data collection. It summarizes short practical troubleshooting ideas and quizzes as well. We share examples of crystallization screening and optimization with scoring the results. The quality of the crystals are judged and the automatic data collection and reduction practices are shared in detail. For further inquiry, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Laboratory course for protein crystallization and data collection

Infrastructure

Single Wavelength SuperNova System Hi-Flux Copper (Cu) Micro-focus X-ray Source (Nova High Intensity Sealed Tube) Fast CCD detectors: active are of 92 mm diagonal suitable for protein and small molecule crystallography 4-circle KAPPA goniometer maximum flexibility to orient the sample in reciprocal space allows full access to the sample for mounting, cooling and annealing CryojetHT cooling device open-flow nitrogen gas blower to cool the sample autofill system AirCooler radiator

Mosquito Crystallization Robot Automated hanging drop, sitting drop, microbatch and seeding or additive screening 96-well plate preparation Able to work with low protein sample volumes with no risk of cross contamination, even in several multi-component drops per well

Crystal Visualization  Leica DM500 Digital Microscope EZTube Preset Diopter Equipped with ICC50 HD Digital Camera for real time imaging Olympus SZX16 high performance digital camera and imaging software

Automated Crystal Imaging Formulatrix Rock Imager Protein Crystallization Imager A high capacity screening platform for storing and monitoring protein crystallization Automated plate handling and capturing with in-built UV/Vis capable camera system Formulatrix Rock Maker Software to analyze the screens