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Department of Biochemistry

Protein Crystallization Center - PCC

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Unterseiten vonProtein Crystallization Center

The Protein Crystallization Center – PCC@UZH – supports the structural biology research community by setting up and monitor high-throughput protein crystallization experiments at the nano-liter scale. PCC@UZH offers a wide range of crystallization techniques for soluble and membrane proteins. The crystallization service is open to academic researchers as well as private industry.

more about protein crystallization

Proteins are the largest group of non-aqueous components in living cells. Almost every chemical reaction in a living cell requires a specific enzyme; this class of protein is also the most diverse. Knowing the 3-D structure of enzymes is vital to understand cellular processes. From the techniques used for the structure determination of macromolecules X-ray crystallography is the most productive method to date.
Crystals of a protein are prerequisite for structure determination by X-ray crystallography. Since the crystallization of bio molecules is a poorly understood process, high-throughput crystallization screening methods have to be used to find a successful condition for a new protein. Using vapor diffusion as the most common crystallization technique a combination of condition variables has to be determined for each protein. Condition variables are e.g. the protein concentration, the temperature, pH, and the concentration of a wide range of precipitation agents in combination with various salts. High throughput screening in combination with miniaturizing the crystallization experiment to 100nl is a practical solution for finding a suitable crystallization condition out of a large number of tests by using only a small amount of purified protein.

Technology Platforms UZH (PDF, 259 KB)

You can find more information on how to crystallize your protein here:

Terese Bergfors - Tutorials:
How to set up protein crystallizations with Terese Bergfors

Crystallization Protocol:
Oxford Protein Production Facility - UK

Hampton Research:
Crystal Growth 101 Literature

"Growing Crystals That Will Make Your Crystallographer Happy" by Paul D. Boyle (PDF, 92 KB)

Weiterführende Informationen

PCC-Pinboard

New employee at PCC

I am delighted to welcome Görkem Kurtuldu to PCC as a Senior Scientist. She will be stepping into the role as my designated successor. Görkem brings a fresh perspective to PCC, and I am excited to see the positive impact she will make.
Please join me in welcoming Görkem!

New screen:

What’s new:
PCC supports researchers with preparing custom screens through their pipetting service. The researcher can freely compose a screen with up to 30 different stock solutions.
Be sure to have a look and feel free to ask the PCC staff concerning this new service.

We had to adjust the prices for plates that are set up at 4°C due to the significantly higher wear and tear of the liquid handler stationed in the cold room.

The new screen Morpheus® Fusion (Product#: MD1-129) from Molecular Dimensions is now available at PCC as the initial screen GS087.

 

RockImager and Liquid Handler Status

RockImager 20°C:
The imaging schedule is on time.

RockImager 4°C:
The imaging schedule is on time.

Crystal Gryphon 4°C:
In Operation.

Crystal Gryphon LCP 20°C:
In Operation.

Crystal Phoenix 20°C:
In Operation.

Freedom EVO w/ MCA 96 + RoMa
In Operation

Freedom EVO w/ LiHa
In Operation

Contact

Department of Biochemistry
University of Zurich
Winterthurerstr. 190
CH-8057 Zurich
Office: Y44 J 30/34
xtal@bioc.uzh.ch


Görkem Kurtuldu
Tel.: +41 44 635 5548

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