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Rhombix Solutions for Automated Crystallization

2007 RAMC

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Rhombix Product Line – supporting the crystallization workflow

Semi-automated imaging

Automated imaging and storage

MaX Workcell

RhombixSoftware

Suite

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Instrument-Centric to Data-Centric Automation

Result: Isolated “islands” of automation and data stores -- No data connection

Imaging and StorageExperiment design and analysis

Liquid handler –Dispense screens into wells

NanodispenserDrop-making

XtallizationDatabase

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New Product

MaX WorkcellPlate preparation

New

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MaX Workcell

Features & Benefits• All-inclusive product – pre-configured for quick

installation • Seamless Workflow• Tube-to-plate transfer• Plate-to-plate transfer• Custom screen building (gradients, additives,

etc)• Nano Drop placement• Sealing • Multiple experiment design and submission• Full set of SW tools incorporating experimental

data and automation control• Small footprint

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Imaging Modes

Brightfield White LED light source Eliminates heating of plates

Darkfield Changes the angle of incidence mitigating shadow regions

associated with Brightfield Assists visualization of crystals

Polarization True polarization Variable angle transmitter and analyzer Exploits birefringent property of crystals

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Lighting and treatment options

Brightfield Darkfield

Variable Angle Polarization Extinction Extinction + 45° Extinction + 90°

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Imaging Features

Drop-finding

X-focus (extended depth of focus)

Others: autofocus, autoexposure, sharpening

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Rhombix Software Suite – Supporting the Crystallization Workflow

Results Analysisand Scoring

Experiment Execution

Experiment Design

Data MiningOptimization

• Reagent Manager• Screen Designer• Experiment

Manager• Schedule Editor• Barcode Manager

• Deck Manager• Experiment

Launcher• Screen Monitor• Vision Monitor• Equipment Monitor

• Visual Query Tool• Image Viewing

and Annotation (Clarix)

• Report Tool

• Visual Query Tool• Image Viewing

and Annotation (Clarix)

• Screen Designer

Protein Crystallization Software Packages

Knowledge

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Rhombix Software

Help

CrystalPlate Query

File Tools

Query Summary48 matching records f ound, 8 records selected Annotate...

Search Items

Queries

Target ID

User

Sav e Main

Help

? my Query

Temperature

3D-Bar

View Results...

DB Results

Ethelyne Glycol(10mM)

pH

pH = 5.2 - 6.4

TRIS pH 7.5(20mM)

Precipitant

Additive

Rysosome24(0.1%)

Created5/1/01 - 8/12/02

Rich

Greg

Reagent

Screen

Clarity

Date

4.2 4.3 4.44.6

5.15.3

5.96.1

6.2

2

4

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

pHSc ore

2

3

4

HamptonHampton I

Hampton II

Screen

Occ

urre

nce

lysozome 4.2 Vapor diffusion Hampton II

lysozome 4.2 Vapor diffusion Hampton II

lysozome 4.3 Vapor diffusion Hampton I

lysozome 4.2 Vapor diffusion Hampton I

lysozome 5.1 Vapor diffusion Hampton I

murB-1 6.2 Hanging drop Hampton II

murB-1 6.2 Hanging drop Hampton II

murB-1 5.9 Microbatch Hampton I

murB-1 4.2 Microbatch Hampton I

murB-1 4.4 Hanging drop Hampton

thrombin 4.3 Vapor diffusion Hampton II

thrombin 5.1 Vapor diffusion Hampton II

lysozome 5.1 Hanging drop Hampton II

Target ID pH Method Screen

Fourteen Software Applications Built into an Cohesive Framework

Spanning: Reagent Management to Data-Mining

User-defined values

User-defined values

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Viewing and Annotation -- Clarix

interface for viewing and annotating images

brings in information from database (e.g. well contents & drop details)

provides feedback to imaging link to Screen Design for optimization

screens link to data-mining link to scheduling

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Report Tool

Report across users and experiments

Export to .xls, .pdf, HTML, xml formats

One means of data sharing between sites (export at one site, import at another site)

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Data Mining – Visual Query Tool

Graphical data-mining SW for general queries and experiment optimization planning

Links to Viewing application for display of image results

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Screen Designer

Graphical interface for designing screens

Allows concentration and pH gradients

Gradients across grids, rows, columns

Patterns of start/step, start/end, center/step

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Import Utility

Imports chemicals, screening solution formulations, screens, and experiments

Pair with report tool for data sharing

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More Insight and Less Mystery in Crystallization

Tools for easy data entry

Tools for easy data retrieval and viewing

“Drop to Crystal” Workflow