Research and Development
The Macromolecular Crystallography (MC) Group engages in R&D projects to advance structural molecular biology research, providing enhancements that benefit the entire MC user community. Several past developments are described in detail and the associated software code, CAD drawings, component lists and/or vendors are available via links or download.
Developments include the Stanford Auto-Mounter (SAM) robot and the SAM Cassette Tool Kit which revolutionized sample screening and afforded researchers that ability to search for a few high quality crystals out of hundreds and the Blu-Ice and DCS software project, developed to hide the complexity of the automated beamline components. In a more recent development, the new Macromolecular Femtosecond Crystallography (MFX) station at LCLS was outfitted with a specialized goniometer and robotic setup based on the developments at the SSRL MC beamlines. Where appropriate, please include the relevant references in your publications for MC development projects.