Automatic Loop Centring in Crystallography
Author Information
Author(s): Anuschka Pauluhn, Claude Pradervand, Daniel Rossetti, Marco Salathe, Clemens Schulze-Briese
Primary Institution: Paul Scherrer Institut
Hypothesis
Can an automated loop-centring program improve the speed and accuracy of sample positioning in macromolecular crystallography?
Conclusion
The automated loop-centring procedure is stable and can achieve centring in 15–26 seconds with a success rate of around 98%.
Supporting Evidence
- The centring procedure can achieve results as fast as manual centring.
- Success rates for the automated procedure are around 98% at beamline X06SA.
- The program has been applied in combination with an automatic sample changer.
Takeaway
This study shows a new way to quickly and accurately position crystal samples for experiments, making it easier for scientists to collect data.
Methodology
The study describes an automated loop-centring program that uses image processing and a high-precision goniometer head to position samples at the Swiss Light Source.
Limitations
The software is sensitive to changes in illumination and misalignments of the microscope axis, which can affect centring accuracy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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