This hands-on crystallization training program will address basic concepts in macromolecular crystal growth and sample mounting for X-ray diffraction data collection as well as novel applications to macromolecular crystallography experiments at synchrotrons and XFEL’s.  The crystallization of macromolecules, in spite of extensive studies over several decades, continues to be the bottleneck in the determination of the molecular structure and consequently the understanding of their function. Access to state-of-the art technologies in fluid handling, crystallization robots, visualization, and crystal manipulation tools are not often accessible at home laboratories. Furthermore sample preparation requirements for new methods being developed at synchrotron and XFEL sources are not easily mastered without hands-on training and experience. This intensive training session aims to address exactly these needs. Attendees will be learning frontier crystallization, sample preparation and manipulation methods for home source, synchrotron and XFEL diffraction experiments including injector and high-throughput goniometer-based approaches.

All students are encouraged to bring their own specimens.

Application and registration

Instructions for submitting the application will be posted by mid November 2015. Applications will be accepted through January 7, 2016 and selected participants will be invited to register through April 2, 2016.

Accommodation

We encourage accepted participants to book accommodation at the Stanford Guest House, which is a 5 minute walk from the course venues. Accommodation can be reserved by phone (650) 926-2800 or by e-mail (guesthouse@stanford.edu). A special rate for course participants will be available until February 2016.

Confirmed speakers and tutors

• Elizabeth Baxter, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
• Martin Caffrey, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin
• Marc Deller, Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, ChEM-H, Stanford University
• Guillermo Calero, Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh (sponsored by JANSi)
• Aina Cohen, SSRL, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
• Thomas Friedlander, Formulatrix
• Petra Fromme, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University
• Chris Grimley, Labcyte
• Mathew Kroeger, TTPLabtech
• Patrick Loll, Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University
• Hartmut Luecke, Center for Biomembrane Systems, University of California, Irvine
• Abel Moreno, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
• Sarah Perry, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Bernhard Rupp, k.k.Hofkristallamt, q.e.d. life science discoveries
• Patrick Shaw Stewart, Douglas Instrument
• Raymond Sierra, LCLS, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
• David Terrel, ArtRobbins