Facilitating Low Volume Protein Crystallography Set-ups Using the Mosquito® Liquid Handler

Abstract

A prerequisite for efficient high throughput protein crystallisation screening is the accurate pipettingand positioning of the low volume drops used in hanging and sitting drop setups. Solutions exist for low volume pipetting, however, the variable viscosities of protein and reservoir/screen solutions present significant challenges for many liquid handling systems. The mosquito^® (TTP LabTech) offers fast positive displacement pipettingfor accurate and reproducible aspiration and dispensing throughout the 50 nL-1.2 µL range, producing CVs of <8% at 50 nLirrespective of viscosity. Mosquito’s micropipettes are also disposable, thus guaranteeing zero cross-contamination where required.