I have been running a poll here on P212121 and the results are in!![crystallography use How Long Have you Been Using Crystallography in your Research [Results]](http://www.p212121.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/crystallography_use.png "crystallography_use")
There is definitely a diverse group of readers here and perhaps it is a reflection of the content. I plan on posting this poll in the future and will look forwarding to seeing how our community evolves.
We are putting together a purchasing list of supplies for a crystallography lab to last the next 12-18 months. The lab has been in operation for a while, so I am interested mostly in disposable products like LB, tips, chemicals, transformation kits and screens. We already have equipment such as incubators, centrifuges and HPLCs.
If you have heard of any good deals or have a product that we should be considering, feel free to send me an email or leave a comment.
We have already put together a list of great introductory websites about crystallography. However, there are many nuggets of information scattered about that should be brought together, hence the list. Enjoy.
If you know of any other nuggets, feel free to add them in the comment section.
The title is a quote from Guy Kawasaki.
Eat like a bird.
(Eat 50 % of their body weight each day)
Consume information.
-what papers are you going read?
-what new technique are you learning?
-what seminar are you going to attend?
-extremely focused
-have the ability to say ‘no’
-early bird gets the worm
Poop like an elephant.
(75 kg/day of – you know what)
Spread it around.
-where is the next collaboration?
-what two people will you introduce today?
-what conferences will you be attending?
-share your knowledge
-give a lecture to ‘non-scientists’
-teach
The Marseille Protein Crystallization Database (MPCD) combines the Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database (BMCD) (post) and the IBS Conditions Yielding to Crystallization Of Proteins Database (CYCLOP) (no longer online) databases (ref).
CYCLOP contains 3,157 crystallization conditions of 1,726 different proteins while the BMCD (v.2.0) contains 2,220 crystallization conditions of 1,485 different proteins.
Unfortunately, that means the MPCD does not include the most recent version of the BMCD, which contains 14,372 crystal entries. According to the 2006 publication, the MPCD contains 5376 crystal entries. Despite being smaller, the MPCD contains a large array of unique search options for crystallization information that are quite useful.
The database includes information about the macromolecules themselves such as name, pI, molecular weight and number of subunits. In addition to crystallization conditions, methods and additives, which are presented in an easy-to-compare table form.
To use the database click on ‘Consult’.
Example of Results: Here are a couple of the 104 conditions that contain PEG 3350:
The MPCD also allows users to upload their own crystallization information by clicking on the Connect option.
Get noticed.
Searching for a job can be quite difficult. Employers that are hiring have hundreds of applications.
Two friends: one is searching & one is hiring for a job both of which are now done. The person searching made it to the phone interview and found out that there were 300 applications for the position. The one that was hiring had over 180 applications, in the first week, after posting the position.
If you consider the cover letter, resume and CV of 300 applications – you are looking at over 500 pages not including references or HR materials.
I want to give you a specific task that you haven’t heard to make you stand out.
Recently, the Public Library of Science (PLoS) has opened up papers for comments. Search PLoS for papers that are published by the lab that you are applying and leave a comment. You can now start having a conversation with the person that is responsible for hiring.
By leaving a comment, you stand out.
Currently, there are not a lot of crystallographic publications on PLoS, but that will change. I have noticed across the board that there are very few comments. Once everyone figures out it is a good idea – you will no longer standout.
Don’t forget, make your comment insightful – you know, just like the ones that you leave here.
I have had quite a bit of luck with this trick so thought it was worth passing on.
You may have noticed that you can lose quite a bit of protein when concentrating.
Using the following steps:
1) Remove the contents from the concentrator as normal
2) Refill the concentrator with your protein’s buffer
3) Centrifuge & remove remaining solvent (if you have any)
4) Check the solution for recovered protein
Why does this work?
Precipitated and "stuck" protein that you are unable to pipette becomes soluble due to the addition of the protein’s buffer.
The benefits of macromolecular crystallography have been well established. The ability to elucidate a mechanism from a crystallographic model is rather amazing. However, the crystallographic community and technique have limitations and room for improvement.
What are the unaddressed needs in the crystallographic community?
What are the limitations and weaknesses in macromolecular crystallography?
The goal is that by discussing these questions, we may be better able to identify areas that need improving.
So - what’s wrong with crystallography?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
@VanjaAvdic points us to a wonderful resource that focuses on the installation of crystallographic software on OS X. The site was developed by the Scott Research Group and is wiki style, so feel free to make it better!
In addition, off of the Scott Lab page is a compilation of resources for those that want to brush up on their Unix.