We provide comprehensive infrastructure and support for X-ray crystallography and BioSAXS, covering the entire workflow from sample preparation to structural analysis. Our services include:

  • Crystallisation screening, optimisation, and crystal handling (harvesting, freezing, and storage)
  • Coordination of sample or crystal shipment as well as data collection at synchrotron beamlines (BioSAXS and MX beamlines)
  • Data processing and structure determination

Protein Crystallisation

Our protein crystallisation services can be booked as training courses, packages, or as a comprehensive full-service offering.

Since crystallising a protein target is time-consuming and requires careful planning, including specific considerations regarding protein design, we recommend contacting us at an early stage. It is also helpful to provide detailed information on the crystallisation target. This enables targeted literature and database searches in advance and supports optimal preparation of the experiments.

Crystallisation Training

  • Initial Screening

    Training covers the preparation of crystallisation plates. Protein solutions and commercial crystallisation screens are dispensed using the Mosquito LCP pipetting robot. The plates are stored and analysed in the Rock Imager 1000 (crystallization hotel).

  • Optimisation

    The best results from initial screening are further optimised. Training is provided in the use of the FORMULATOR 10 screen builder and ROCK MAKER software for the design and preparation of individual screens.

  • Crystal Harvesting (Fishing)

    During crystal harvesting, the process of “fishing” with cryo-loops or meshes is practised and refined. In addition, the handling of liquid nitrogen and equipment for crystal storage and shipment is covered.

  • Data generation at the synchrotron

    The aim of this training is the independent collection of diffraction data. Measurements are performed remotely at a beamline of the ESRF in Grenoble.

  • Thermofluor Screening

    Training covers the execution of Thermofluor assays as well as the analysis of the results.

Bookable Crystallisation Packages

  • Pre-crystallisation Test

    Since protein concentration has a strong influence on crystallisation, a pre-crystallisation test can be performed to determine the optimal concentration for subsequent screening. The test uses salt and PEG reagents. Included equipment: SteREO Discovery.V12 microscope

  • Initial Screening

    Select one of our ten commercial screens and set up a crystallisation plate. The commercial screens cover a broad range of conditions, providing an optimal starting point for initial screening. Included equipment: Mosquito LCP pipetting robot, Rock Imager 1000

  • BYO Screen

    Existing screens or screens prepared in deep-well plates can be dispensed directly into crystallisation plates using the PLATEMASTER, a pipetting system for 96- and 384-well plates. Included equipment: Mosquito LCP pipetting robot, Rock Imager 1000

  • Optimisation

    If crystals are obtained but diffraction data are insufficient, typically 2–4 optimisation rounds are performed. A set of standard chemicals is provided; specific reagents must be supplied by the user.Included equipment: FORMULATOR 10 screen builder, Mosquito LCP pipetting robot, Rock Imager 1000

  • Deep-well Plate

    Optional add-on to the optimisation package. Suitable for preparing larger volumes of optimised conditions, for example for storage, cryo reagents, or further experiments. Included equipment: FORMULATOR 10 screen builder

  • Fish & ship 8 xtals

    Crystals are harvested, flash-cooled in liquid nitrogen (LN₂), and shipped to a synchrotron for data collection at a pre-booked beamline. Included equipment: SteREO Discovery.V12 microscope

  • Data Collection (per hour)

    Remote collection of diffraction data from protein crystals at a synchrotron by Core Facility staff. Available only in Full-Service mode.

  • Processing & Refinement (per hour)

    Includes data processing, phase determination, and iterative refinement. The required time depends, among other factors, on data quality and resolution, molecular weight, and the number of molecules in the asymmetric unit. Available only in Full-Service mode.

  • Thermofluor Screen

    The Thermofluor screen enables identification of the optimal storage buffer for the respective protein target prior to crystallisation. Buffer or additive screens are used to systematically test different buffers, pH values, and additives for their stabilising effects. The Thermofluor screen can be performed with all screens in 96-well plate format.

  • Fishing Exercise Plate

    Crystallisation plate for practising crystal harvesting using loops or meshes with pre-grown lysozyme crystals. Included equipment: SteREO Discovery.V12 microscope

Crystal Monitoring

After crystallisation plates are set up, they are stored in the Rock Imager 1000 and automatically imaged according to a predefined schedule in high resolution. Images can be viewed and evaluated at any time via the ROCK MAKER WEB interface.

Trained users are responsible for monitoring their own crystallisation plates. If crystal growth is observed, the Core Facility should be informed to discuss the next steps.

Data Collection & ESRF Data Policy

Our Core Facility is part of the Austrian BAG (Block Allocation Group), which provides access to a substantial amount of beamtime at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. A BAG consists of several independent Principal Investigators from different academic institutions with similar requirements for synchrotron instrumentation. Within this group allocation, access to dedicated beamtime at the ESRF is granted. As the synchrotron operates almost continuously, experiments can also be scheduled during nights or weekends.

It is important that all raw data and associated metadata generated are accessible to all members involved in BAG projects during a three-year embargo period. After this period, the data become openly accessible. In addition, researchers using beamtime within a BAG are expected to publish their results.

Commercial or proprietary beamtime can also be requested. In this case, all data generated during beamtime remain exclusively with the group that has purchased access and remain under permanent embargo unless explicit release is requested by the respective group.

The ESRF data policy for Public Access (BAG) and Commercial Access can be found and downloaded here: www.esrf.fr/datapolicy

Acknowledgment Guidelines

For any publications involving data collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) via BMCA's Structural Analysis Unit, the following points must be included:

1. In the Material & Methods section:

Refer to the DOI of your beamline session, i.e.: "The data DOI of that session is 10.15151/ESRF-XYZ." (Users can retrieve their DOI at data.esrf.fr or generate one to reference specific datasets. Detailed information on this topic is available at https://www.esrf.fr/ICAT.

2. In the Acknowledgment section:

"This project was supported by the Connective Base GmbH and the Structural Analysis Unit of the BOKU Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis. We would like to thank the staff of the ESRF and EMBL Grenoble for assistance and support in using beamline(s) XX, YY, ZZ under proposal number MX2XXX (replace with applicable proposal number(s): MX2455, MX2529, MX2651, MX2743).”