June 6-8, 2005

Crystallization Workshop Gets Top Marks from Participants

The "Crystallization: Focus on Optimization Techniques, Soluble and Membrane Proteins" course organized by Naomi Chayen (Imperial College of London) and Vivian Stojanoff (NSLS) took place at the NSLS from June 6 through June 8. During those three days, 55 researchers from the U.S. and abroad discussed and experienced hands-on the complexity of the protein-crystal growth process.

Participants of the Crystallization Workshop.

Several lectures to introduce the subject and eight parallel practical sessions were held by experts in the field during three days. Neer Asherie (Yeshiva University) discussed "Understanding of the Protein Phase Behavior," Pat Loll (Drexel University) discussed the "Effects of Detergents," Marie Claude Marchand (Nextal) discussed the "Vapor Diffusion Method and Optimization Techniques," Gwen Nneji (Imperial College of London) discussed "Non-standard Crystallization Techniques," Petra Fromme (Arizona State University) discussed "Phase Diagrams: A Way for the Rational Design of Membrane Protein Crystallization," and Peter Nollert (deCODE Genetics) discussed "Micro Crystallization Using the Lipidic Cubic Phase Methodology."

The practical sessions also included talks on "Purification Techniques" by Janmeet Anand and Debbie Cohen (GE Healthcare), "The Light Scattering as a Diagnosis of Protein Purity" by Trevor Harvard (Precision Detectors), and "High-Throughput Screening of Crystallization Conditions" by Chris Gawronski (Fluidigm).

The 40 participants were divided into eight groups and rotated through the two-hour practical sessions. The course was designed to allow participants to experience different crystallization techniques and discuss the available optimization tools. The importance of protein purity and knowledge of phase diagrams were stressed in several lectures and practical sessions. Participants had the opportunity to try the different methods on standard or known proteins, such as Lysozyme, Thaumatin Proteinase K, Photosystem I, and Bacteriordopsin.

Several participants brought their own proteins and tried the different methods and screening techniques to screen or optimize crystallization conditions. They used plates from Nextal, Hampton Research, Douglas Instruments, Molecular Dimensions, and Jena Biosciences. Several participants characterized their proteins by light scattering using the system provided by Precision Detectors, first finding possible improvements in the crystallization conditions they were using.

Overall, all the participants recommended organizing similar workshops in the future, as this is the only course in the U.S. that offers real experience in protein crystallization.

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ARTICLE BY: Laura Mgrdichian

PHOTO BY: Joe Rubino