Crystallization Facility at AFMB-CNRS, Marseille

The high-throughput crystallization facility at the AFMB-CNRS in Marseille is in function since early 2002. Two robots are involved in the process: a TECAN Genesis robot fills the wells of any crystallization plate, either from crystallization kits or from 4 solutions prepared for optimization matrices. A cartesian robot, with a tray capacity of 9 plates, dispenses the precipitant from the wells and the protein(s).

Any member of the SPINE, VIZIER, BIOXHIT consortiums or from CNRS and Marseille-Nice genopole can access the facility. Users are asked to fill in a contact information (along with some experiment specific data). The users also provide the facility with purified and concentrated sample. A service of protein expression is also available. All experiments are done as sitting drops using the vapor diffusion method. Current choices for experimental set ups entail:

• Greiner 3x96 round/flat bottom; Corning 2 x 96.
  

• Any crystallization volume between 100 and 1,000 nL
  

• Up to 1,440 initial conditions
  

We are flexible with respect to individual request concerning modifications to the usual set up procedure. The facility is available to the general user community.