Implementing serial crystallography as a routine data collection tool at SARomics Biostructures
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | SARomics Biostructures AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 390 000 |
| Project duration | November 2018 - November 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration: Industrial pilot projects for neutron and photon experiments at large scale research infrastructures - 2018 |
| End-of-project report | 2018-04409_SARomics_Biostructures.pdf (pdf, 383 kB) |
Purpose and goal
The overall aim was for SARomic´s personnel to learn serial crystallography techniques. We performed important proof-of-principle experiments on a small, relatively easily crystallized protein, galectin-3C. The experiments were carried out at the BioMAX beamline of the MAX IV laboratory and its scientists were crucial to the success of the collaboration, which showed that we can routinely solve structures from tens of thousands of microcrystals. This may be the best way to tackle new difficult-to-crystallize proteins in the future. The results will be published in a scientific journal.
Expected results and effects
The project has given SARomics personnel valuable insights and skills in the state-of-the-art method of serial crystallography. This method for data collection can be used in future projects with difficult proteins where only small crystals can be produced or for internal or customer projects where room-temperature data are the most appropriate. The collaboration has increased the skill set of SARomics personnel and will lead to increased competitiveness for the company.
Planned approach and implementation
The project was carried out as a collaboration between SARomics Biostructures and staff at the BioMAX beamline at MAX IV. SARomics developed methods for making large numbers of microscopic crystals of the galectin-3C protein. Then, together with BioMAX, SARomics explored different ways of presenting these crystals in the beam, collecting data on the crystals and processing the large amounts of data that arose. SARomics learned new technologies while BioMAX was able to test its hardware and software and increase interest in serial crystallography among industrial users.