Macromolecular crystallography beamline X06DA-PXIII has deposited over 1,000 structures into the Protein Data Bank.

The Swiss Light Source operates three macromolecular crystallography beamlines which have between them deposited over 5,900 crystal structures into the Protein Data Bank (PDB).

The Protein Data Bank ia an intenational, open-source database providing access to 3D structure data for large biological molecules (proteins, DNA, and RNA) which in crystalline form can be investigated using x-ray diffraction techniques. These are the molecules of life, found in all organisms on the planet. Knowing the 3D structure of a biological molecule is essential for understanding its role in human and animal health and disease.

The X06DA-PXIII beamline was designed for maximum efficiency and a high degree of automation to serve the needs of both academic and industry users. In 2017, it reached an important milestone having deposited over 1000 structures into the Protein Data Bank.

An integral part of the automation concept is the crystallization facility built adjacent to the beamline. This unique configuration allows users to request and evaluate crystallisation experiments using nano-dispensing robots and automated imaging systems.

The X06DA-PXIII beamline is funded through a partnership between the Paul Scherrer Institut and the pharmaceutical companies Boehringer Ingelheim, Idorsia and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.

References

The SLS crystallization platform at beam-line X06DA - a fully automated pipeline enabling in situ X-ray diffraction screening.
Bingel-Erlenmeyer B, Olieric V, Grimshaw JPA, Gabadinho J, Wang X, Ebner SG, Isenegger A, Schneider R, Schneider J, Glettig W, Pradervand C, Panepucci EH, Tomizaki T, Wang M, Schulze-Briese C 
Crystal Growth & Design. 2011;11 (4):916–923.
https://doi.org/10.1021/cg101375j