Almost all protein crystallography groups have transitioned to robot mounting. The following instructions will demonstrate the complete workflow before, during, and after, your experiment for the average user.
Before the experiment - Attending in person
For those attending the experiment in person at the Australian Synchrotron, it’s important that your training and inductions are up to date (see Preparing for your experiment).
Beamline Inductions
If you are new to the MX beamlines or your beamline induction has expired (check by logging into Portal, under Dashboard, Exams/Inductions) then you will need a beamline induction by a beamline scientist before starting your experiment. Please e-mail beamline staff ahead of time to arrange a beamline induction. Typically, beamline inductions are run at 10am (MX1 experiments) and 2pm (MX2 experiments) at the start of your experiment. If you are cannot be present at these times, please let the beamline staff know ahead of schedule so that an alternative time can be arranged.
Experimental Authorisation (EA) Form
Before arriving at the Australian Synchrotron, check that you are on the user list for the experiment. You can do this by accessing the experimental authorisation (log into User Portal Experimental Authorisations, upcoming - Manage EAs for scheduled beamtime). Prior to your experiment, you should also receive an email titled: “Important information for your upcoming Australian Synchrotron Beamtime”
During the experiment
Start time
Experiments for MX1 (9am to 9am) and MX2 (1pm to 9am) include a 1 hour set up time by the beamline scientist. This means that you can expect to start collecting data at 10am for MX1 or 2pm for MX2 experiments. The set up time can vary depending on how well the beamline is functioning, excessive delays will be communicated by the beamline scientist. Once a Beamline Ready email has been received, the experiment has officially begun!
Check your CAPs user schedule
For larger CAPs comprising of multiple labs, communicate with the CAP to organise a schedule for users and coordinate when each user will take over access to data collection and the length of time for each user. Communicate with the users for the experiment when you have taken over access, when you have finished, and whether there are any delays, for example, if the beamline staff are fixing issues on the beamline. If there are more than 12 pucks in your CAPs schedule, please send a copy of your schedule including puck order to the MX staff.
Remote Access (for those logging in remotely)
If you are collecting data remotely, you will need to log into our remote access server, Guacamole. The credentials for remote access login are provided in the Beamline Ready email. There is an initial ASWebMX user and password prompt, and then finally a randomised password for the experiment. You will have access to 3 different connections or monitors to access the different GUIs for data collection.
Change User via CAP User Changer
All data collected will be collected and saved under the user that is selected in CAP User Changer. To access CAP User Changer, click on Quick Access in the Toolbar (bottom left), and select ‘CAP internal user changer’ in the Quick links prompt. Click the user you wish your data to be saved under.
Locate your sample pucks
It’s important to have a list of which pucks (ASP####) your samples are associated with. These pucks are loaded into the sample dewar that contain 3 adaptors (Left, Middle, Right). Pucks list can be access via Quick Access in the Toolbar (bottom left), and select ‘Robot Dewar Content’ in the Quick links prompt. The pucks can also be viewed from your Beamline Ready email by click on the hyperlink ‘Pucks List’.
Note down which pucks numbers belong to you and the position that they are held in the sample dewar. For e.g. ASP0559 is in ‘Left’ Position D and ASP0569 is in 'Middle' Position A.
Collecting Data
This is the general workflow in collecting data on your protein crystals.