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Biomolecular Crystallography Facility

Biomolecular Crystallography

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Overview

The Biomolecular Crystallography Facility exists to make structural analysis by crystallography available to researchers on the Vanderbilt campus by providing state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation, training, software, and support for all aspects of crystal structure solution. We strive to help crystallographers accomplish their work efficiently while being able to push the boundaries of the technology. The facility is also available to train and support researchers wanting to learn crystallography as a valuable research tool.

Facility Information

  • What is Crystallography?

    Crystallography allows for direct visualization of molecular structure at the atomic level. X-ray crystallography is the primary tool for the structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids accounting for 85% of all models in the PDB. Macromolecular structures determined by X-ray crystallography provide answers to questions relating to molecular structure including issues of domain and fold architecture, ligand recognition and binding, and details of atomic bonding.

  • Data Collection

    Vanderbilt investigators have access to synchrotron resources through membership in the Life Sciences Collaborative Access Team (LS-CAT) at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Laboratory.

  • Find us in iLab

    The Biophysical Instrumentation Facility, the Megalab Core and the Biomolecular Crystallography Facility have been combined to form the Vanderbilt CSB Macromolecular Biophysics Core in iLab. 

    Visit the iLab site.

  • Need access?

    Refer questions about Crystallography access, training and scheduling to Facility Director Joel Harp.

  • Contact us

    Joel Harp, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor

    Diffraction rooms:

    • 862 Robinson Research Building
    • 2537 Stevenson Center

    Mailing address:

    • Biomolecular Crystallography Facility
    • PMB 407917
    • Nashville, TN 37240-7917

    Shipping address:

    • Biomolecluar Crystallography Facility
    • 465 21st Ave South, Suite 5140 MRB3
    • Nashville, TN 37232
  • X-ray Crystallographer Email Listserv

    Add me to the X-ray Crystallographer Mailing List!

Hardware

  • Diffraction Lab

    The CSB possesses a state-of-the-art diffraction laboratory located in Robinson Research Building, room 862.

    The laboratory houses:

    • MetalJet X-ray source
    • PHOTON III pixel array detector
  • Crystallization Lab

    The crystal lab for viewing and recording crystallization experiments is located in Stevenson Center Building 2, room SC2537.

    The facility includes:

    • Crystallization incubators maintained at a variety of temperatures
    • Two Leica MZ12 microscopes with polarizer/analyzer; one with a CCD camera for photographing crystals
    • Leica MZ6 microscope with polarizer/analyzer
    • The crystal lab also provides a linux computer, X8R, for data processing using HKL2000.
  • Pac-Van Robotic Crystallization Facility

    The Pac-Van Facility is located in the Iverson Laboratory on the 4th floor of the Preston Research Building. It is fully equipped for high-throughput crystallization experiments including remote access to images from the automated imager. The imager is equipped with UV lighting to allow for fluorescence of proteins to identify protein crystals in crystallization drops.

    Mosquito LCP Robot
    Rock Imager

    Pac-Van equipment includes:

    • Mosquito LCP Robot: Crystallization trial experiments can be performed quickly and efficiently in 96 well plates, using the Mosquito, a nanoliter dispensing high-throughput robot. The Mosquito robot is also capable of setting up lipidic cubic phase (LCP) crystallization trials.
    • Dragonfly Robot: The Dragonfly is capable of setting up a custom screen in 96 well plate using minimal amounts of stock solutions. The software includes a user-friendly application for designing custom screens. The screen can exported in a format suitable for the RockImager.
    • Rock Imager: This is a robust, easy-to-use, automated imaging system for protein crystallization.

Software

  • SBGrid

    All software needed for crystal structure solution is available on CSB computers using the Structural Biology Grid, SBGrid.

Facility Policies and Reservations

  • General Policies

    Be safe ...

    • These machines must be taken seriously. 
    • Remember that X-rays are dangerous. Be aware of indicator lights for X-ray shutters. Do not forget to check that X-rays are off before mounting or removing crystals from goniometer.
    • For persons with long hair, be aware that the drive belt for the RU-200 rotating anode operates at high speed. Hair can be caught in the belt resulting in serious injury. This has been known to happen.

    Be considerate ... 

    • Always sign up for X-ray time using the online scheduling tool. The scheduling tool provides the following benefits:
      • All users can view the calendar online to determine who is using the equipment before and after their own time slot. By clicking on the user name in the calendar, a new window pops up with full contact information.
      • When beginning work, check to make sure the previous user is actually finished. NEVER REMOVE A MOUNTED CRYSTAL BEFORE CHECKING WITH THE PREVIOUS USER.
      • If you need more time, contact the next scheduled user to discuss options. If you are not willing to use weekend time, the next scheduled user must be allowed to use weekend time up to Monday morning.
      • Always clean up after yourself. Do not leave crystals mounted on goniometer. Transfer image files and delete unneeded files from the detector’s computer.
    • The scheduling tool and calendar are connected to a database used to record instrument usage data. Keeping accurate records is essential to the future of the facility since requests for new equipment and upgrades to existing instrumentation must be supported by usage data.
  • Pac-Van Reservations

    NOTE: Users must attend a brief (15-20 minute) orientation to learn lab procedures before using any instrument. Please contact Joel Harp to schedule a meeting time for your orientation.

    1. Go to Google and sign in with the following information:
      • – Email: pacvan.csb@gmail.com
      • – Password: pacvancsb464
    2. Click on the date you want to reserve
    3. Select the instrument/robot from the pop-up menu
    4. Click on “Edit event details”
    5. Type your name/lab in the title box
    6. Uncheck the “All day” box to select a specific block of hours
  • MetalJet D8 Venture Reservations

    NOTE: Users must have a registered username. Complete an Instrument Scheduling Account Request form here.

    • To request MetalJet D8 Venture Instrument time, complete the online scheduling form. Once a request has been submitted, view it and other pending requests for X-ray time on the request queue page.
    • Requests cannot be edited once submitted. To edit a request, submit a second request and use the description field to explain the change.
    • View the instrument calendar
  • Instrument Support

    Support is available for all aspects of crystallography.

    • Individuals with CSB computer accounts may submit questions, problems or requests for assistance using the Request Tracking System. The request tracker allows for documentation, which can be of great value in understanding where problems exist. The RT system is also useful in that it keeps support requests active until resolved.
    • To request a CSB account, contact Joel Harp.

Contact us to learn more about crystallography at Vanderbilt University.