EZ-Screen Builder

Intuitive screen design tool for crystal refinement

PCC assists researchers in designing custom refinement screens in 96-well SBS masterblocks composed with up to 30 different stock solutions and with final well volumes of up to 1.5 ml each.

Three EZ-Screen Builder options are available:

Current Version # 20210720-21

EZ-Screen Builder (XLTX, 1 MB)
This option allows the development of a complex 96-well screen with concentration and pH gradients over any range of wells.

Screen-Builder Concentration (XLTX, 1 MB)
Design screens by specifying the constituent concentration in each well individually. Concentration gradients are quickly realized within the Excel screen builder by simple drag-and-drop function. A tool for calculating the mixing ratio of two corresponding buffers for achieving a desired pH is included.

Screen-Builder Volume (XLTX, 1 MB)
Design screens by specifying the solution volume in each well individually. Volume gradients are quickly realized within the Excel screen builder by simple drag-and-drop function. The researcher can flexibly assign wells/well ranges that are to be left empty, such as for later filling. A tool for calculating the mixing ratio of two corresponding buffers for achieving a desired pH is included.

The researcher will prepare all stock solutions to ensure the reproducibility of further scaleup experiments. The liquid handler EVO Freedom (Tecan Group Ltd.), pipetting the screens, is compatible with organic, viscous, and varied pH solutions and is programmed directly aspirating the stock solutions out of 50ml + 15ml Falcon tubes and out of 100ml PE wide-mouth bottles (Art#60; Semadeni). To ensure the screen is ready for the crystallization experiment, PCC would like to get the stock solutions 1-2 working days prior the scheduled date.

The Oxford Protein Production Facility-UK provides a
Protocol for Optimizing Crystals