To use FragMAX, users need to have a crystal system that is suitable for crystallographic fragment screening (see Crystal requirements). Typically, users send frozen protein, crystallisation solution(s), and – if required – seeds or other essential reagents. We then set up crystallisation experiments according to your protocol and verify that the resulting crystals diffract as expected.
In principle, users can also send or bring crystallisation plates, but for most projects this is impractical. While we are happy to make minor adjustments to your protocol to reproduce crystals in our laboratory, please note that we do not have the capacity to perform systematic crystal optimisation or to search for initial crystallisation hits.
If you are unsure whether your crystal system is suitable, we strongly encourage you to get in touch before applying so we can advise you. We will also measure the pH of your crystallization solution and will assess how a set of reference fragments influences the corresponding pH value. We will implement mitigation strategies where necessary.