Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New Platform for Automated Crystallization Plate Production

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today unveiled its new Thermo Scientific MaX WorkCell™, for automated macromolecular crystallization plate production.

The MaX WorkCell incorporates best-in-class instrumentation to address all process needs of plate preparation including screen-making, drop-setting and plate sealing, in one unit. As part of the renowned Rhombix™ product range for protein crystallization, the MaX WorkCell is the only all-inclusive plate preparation system and is compatible with multiple plate types and crystallization techniques. With enhanced experimental tracking and data handling, the MaX WorkCell, maximizes walk away time and work flow efficiency. As a preconfigured system with a small footprint, installation is quick and easy, and laboratory work space is kept to a minimum.

The Thermo Scientific MaX WorkCell combines the most sophisticated hardware to provide a high-performance protein crystallization platform. The solution features robust liquid handling for screen-making, accurate nanoliter dispensing for drop-setting, as well as our Abgene Seal-it 100™ for plate sealing. The MaX WorkCell allows accurate and fast plate preparation, minimizing reagent waste, and maximizing throughput. The Matrix Hydra II may be added for quick plate-to-plate transfer capabilities, thus allowing an even faster build process when transferring from deep well blocks to crystallization plates. Additionally, when combined with the Rhombix Vision products for imaging and storage of crystallization experiments, the MaX WorkCell can provide a complete solution for automated crystallization.

All steps in the process are controlled using one comprehensive software platform. The Rhombix Software Suite enables the crystallographer to manage reagents, define experimental parameters, view and annotate images, and mine the data. Networking and remote access allows researchers around the globe to share this resource. All experimental design, viewing, and data mining can occur at locations separate from the equipment. Such flexibility allows crystallographers to more easily track experimental conditions and ensure repeatability for future crystallizations.