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Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics
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The crystallisation facilities in S9 have undergone further development and upgrading this year, and continue to offer the necessary hardware and solutions for setting up trials, funded by the OCMS Crystallography Consumables Grant.
A significant amount of grease and experimenters time has been saved by the purchase of a Hampton Research tray greasing machine, which has proved to be a great asset.
In October 2000, the OCMS anaerobic glove box was moved from the T3 X-ray room down into S9. The nitrogen for this is piped up the outside of the building from a cylinder store in the loading bay of the Rex Richards Building, obviating the need to move cylinders up the building in the lift. Initial problems with a leak in the delivery manifold have now been rectified.
As part of this rearrangement, a central bench was installed in S9 to give extra non-microscope space for setting up crystallisation trays. This has been very successful and means that there is enough room for eight people to use the room at once if necessary. The microspectrometer has been moved into the instrument room on the second floor, which is more convenient for its users.In late 2000 we made a bulk purchase of 100ml of each of Crystal Screens 1 and 2 from Molecular Dimensions Limited, and separated them into 10ml aliquots. These are introduced into S9 as necessary, and this has overcome the problem of uneven use of the crystallisation screens and thus part of every screen being wasted.
The microscopes were again upgraded very recently; graticules were fitted on the Leica MZ12 and MZ6 which both lacked them, and a coarse/fine rack was retro-fitted to the MZ12 for easier use. A set of polarisers were purchased, available for users, to supplement those kept by Stephen Lee for photographic purposes.
The heavy atom cupboard was further rationalised by Pamela Williams, and is now the responsibility of Minakshi Ghosh. Uranium waste is now collected separately from other heavy atom waste, as required by the disposal regulations on radioactive materials.
The LMB space in the basement coldroom has been completely cleared out so that all bench space is open for experimenters to use. A graticule has been fitted to the Leica MZ6 there. A long term major problem with the chiller unit in this coldroom has been rectified, and the condenser is now ice free. This has significantly decreased the circulating water vapour in the atmosphere and improved the room environment. Our space in this cold room is now the responsibility of Dr. Nick Brown.
The transport of crystal trays to synchrotrons has always been problematic: we have tried various containers, including picnic cold boxes and metal photographic equipment boxes. On some occasions we have experienced difficulties when not allowed to take these on planes and buses, in spite of having adequate paper work. We have recently started to use soft oblong bags usually used for photographic equipment, and in which light plywood walls have been inserted. These bags fit under all airoplane seats so far encountered and draw less attention to themselves than other containers.
Future plans include the upgrading of our Dynamic Light Scatterer and the purchase of a video camera to connect to a monitor and fit onto the microscope for teaching purposes.
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