OUR WORK
A group lead by Dr. George DeTitta and Mr. Joseph Luft has developed an automated method to set up high-throughput crystallization experiments. As of July 2005 8 million experiments have been performed, and the results recorded in the form of 45 million digital images. More than 550 researchers provided samples of 5,000 proteins and nucleic acids for these experiments. The supplier receives a set of digital images showing the outcomes of 1536 unique crystallization trials. The data generated from these experiments is being used to create a database that we hope will permit good crystallization conditions for new macromolecules to be rationally predicted . The high-throughput crystal growth Lab is a core facility for two NIH-funded pilot structural genomics consortia: (1) the “North East Structural Genomics Consortium” studying proteins from eukaryotic model organisms and (2) the “Structural Genomics of Pathogenic Protozoa”.

We are developing other areas of the pipeline from sample preparation through cryogenically preserved, mounted crystals. This research will progress with the support of NIH / NIGMS 454 GMO 74899 " Tools for high throughput structural biology".
Our work with the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortia, providing initial screening for crystallization conditions will continue through the support of NIH / NIGMS 454 GMO 74899.

It is often necessary to fine-tune initial crystallization conditions in order to obtain the high quality crystals required for structure determination. Studies at HWI have led to the development of techniques to further this process. One method, seed bead, is commercially available; another, a diffusion plate for growing crystals, was patented.

We gratefully acknowledge the past support of: The Cummings Foundation, The John R.Oishei Foundation, The Western New York Foundation, NASA NAG8-1594, NASA NAG8-1839, NASA NCC8-232, NIH GM-64655, NIH GM-62413 and NIH NCRR S10 RR016924.

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