Pipetting system for automated protein crystallisation

Rigaku has entered into an agreement with TTP LabTech to offer the mosquito nanolitre pipetting system as part of the Rigaku CrystalMation platform for automated protein crystallisation experiments. As used by the pharmaceutical industry for rational drug design, the mosquito technology will be implemented on a custom basis for users doing high throughput research on membrane proteins as well as RNA and DNA research.

Specifically engineered to meet demanding objectives, the Rigaku CrystalMation system consists of banks of the Rigaku Minstrel HT imaging instruments, each coupled to up to two Rigaku Gallery 700 incubators. These incubators, operating at either ambient temperature or down to 4 °C, are integrated by a central Rigaku Integration Module. Complete liquid handling, for both screen make-up and protein dispense, are automated using the respective Rigaku Alchemist II, Phoenix RE and TTP LabTech mosquito modules in conjunction with robotic plate sealer stations. CrystalTrak, an Oracle-based database application, forms the software backbone for designing, capturing and analysing crystallisation experiments.