W0412

Development of an Integrated Protein Crystallisation System for Increased Efficiency and Data Management. Onkar MP Singh¹, Alan Wonacott¹, Tadeusz Skarzynski¹, Annie M Hassell², Paul Rowland³, James C Nelson⁴, Computational and Structural Sciences, Gunnels Wood Rd., Stevenage¹, Harlow³, UK and RTP, North Carolina², Technical Development Chemistry⁴, UK, GlaxoSmithKline, Dave Riling, Bryan Greenway, Greg Nordstrom, Data Centric Automation, 2525 Perimeter Place Dr., Suite 131, Nashville, TN, USA, onkar.mp.singh@GSK.com.

In this presentation we describe our approach and the results of a collaboration between GSK and DCA to develop an integrated and automated protein crystallisation system. The key drivers are to minimise protein usage, maximise useful outcome, capture key experimental data for sharing between transnational research teams and optimise crystal growth conditions. The complete system, Rhombix OPUS, is composed of Rhombix Screen and Rhombix Vision. The Rhombix Screen will fully automate protein crystallisation solution preparation, dispensing crystallisation and protein solutions into commercial SBS format plates for both vapor diffusion and microbatch type experiments. The system allows the user to choose from a wide range of drop volumes and options to manipulate drops before plate sealing. The Rhombix Vision system will use scheduled drop imaging, automated crystal detection and plate storage. Automated image analysis and annotation coupled with user preferences are used to prioritise data to be captured.

The complete suite of Rhombix OPUS is probably the first fully integrated protein crystallisation system designed for the Pharmaceutical Industry that allows considerable degree of flexibility and complexity to operate at a medium to high throughput mode.