March 1-4, 2005

X6A Workbench Provides Hands-On Training in Synchrotron Crystallography

X6A Workbench Participants

Beamline X6A, the NIGMS facility at the National Synchrotron Light Source, is offering comprehensive hands-on training in synchrotron data collection and analysis for biophysicists, biochemists and molecular biologists.

The first "The X6A Workbench: Advanced Structural Biology Tools" workshop took place this year from March 1 - 4. Participants practiced cryogenic protection of their samples and learned how to load sample cassettes for the X6A automounter. The program followed with hands-on crystallography data collection and analysis. Molecular replacement and Multiwavelength Anomalous Diffraction (MAD) software suites were discussed. Participants screened their own samples and applied the new data analysis concepts introduced during the workshop.

The X6A workbench is regularly offered throughout the year. The next two workshops are scheduled for April 26-29 and July 12-15. For more details and registration information, go to: http://protein.nsls.bnl.gov/news/workbench.php.

ARTICLE BY: Vivian Stojanoff