Fast and Straightforward Macromolecular Crystal Optimization with dragonfly^® crystal

X-ray crystallography is the most successful method employed to gain an understanding of macromolecule structures at the atomic level. Obtaining the required crystals from a purified sample of a protein, nucleic acid or any macromolecular complex poses significant challenges since tedious experimental set-ups with poor success rates are involved. First, an initial crystallisation screen is carried out on the purified sample with a broad range of commercially available conditions. Then, in-house custom optimisation screens are prepared in order to reproduce and optimise any initial leads. With optimised crystals, it is later possible to acquire quality X-ray diffraction data and hence solve high resolution structures.