Servicios

To access the facility users should contact the Institute's central office (tecnologia@pasteur.edu.uy) in order to obtain a short form to be completed. This will be evaluated by the Unit in terms of technical feasability and scientific relevance. All requests will have a due response.

Two sets of services will be available: the first include crystallogenesis screenings, preliminary X ray diffraction tests, and full data collection; while the second implies further analyses involving data processing, structure solution and refinement and preliminary structural analysis.

The first set will be available on a freely accessible facility mode. According to sample characteristics and the outline of the project, the actual cost has to be agreed with each user. This set includes:

• Set-up of crystallization screens, both manually or robot-assisted, using commercial and facility-made conditions.
• Preliminary X ray diffraction tests to determine cell parameters, point group and overall crystal quality.
• Data collection in the case X ray diffraction-quality crystals are obtained, at facility x-ray source; if synchrotron radiation is judged necessary, the facility can assess the user tu use the LNLS (Campinas).

The second set of services, owing to its higher demand, both in time as well as in technical assistance, will be discussed for each project with the users to agree in terms of costs, eventual scientific collaboration perspectives and timing schedules. These services include:

• Data processing using XDS and MOSFLM.
• Structure determination using MR, MIR, MAD, SAD, techniques and software such as BnP, SHARP, CCP4, CNS, SHELX, and PHENIX.
• Structure refinement and fitting using Refmac5, Coot, O * Structure visualization and analysis using PyMol, Coot, O.