title: Mimer: an automated spreadsheet-based crystallization screening system.
abstract: In this paper, a simple low-cost alternative to large commercial systems for preparing macromolecular crystallization conditions is described. Using an intuitive spreadsheet-based approach, the system allows the rapid calculation of relevant pipetting volumes given known stock-solution concentrations and incorporates the automatic design of custom crystallization screens via the incomplete-factorial and grid-screen approaches. Automated dispensing of the resulting crystallization screens is achieved using a generic and relatively inexpensive liquid handler.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10c, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. deb@mb.au.dk
authors.forename: Ditlev Egeskov
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brodersen
authors.forename: Gregers Rom
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Christian Brix Folsted
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances
keywords: crystallization screening; grid screen; incomplete factorial; protein crystallization; software; spreadsheet