Data Collection Xray

Hooray, you've got crystals! Now it's time to check whether they diffract and hopefully solve that structure.
We can have access to ESRF (France, through our BAG), MASSIF (automated data collection) or SLS (Switzerland).

How to Access MASSIF

At beamline ID30A-1 (also known as MASSIF-1) Matthew Bowler et. al.<ref name="svensson" /> set up the beam for automated data collection. This is very convenient as you don't have to go there, you don't have to stay up all night and the crystal centering method outcompetes you probably on accuracy, but definitely on time. It is being paid from our available BAG beam time: 50 crystals will cost us 1 shift.
It therefore is a pretty good option if you would like to check crystals for diffraction or if you're expecting pretty straightforward data collection.<ref>http://www.w3.org/</ref>

Schedule visit

Choose your preferred date for data collection

Take time into account for you (and maybe others) fishing the crystals, and sending the dewars. When they arrive at ESRF, the dear will be refilled with N2, but keep in mind that FedEx doesn't deliver in the weekends: you don't want your crystals to heat up at the sunny French storage location. All-in-all I would plan this at least one week in advance.

Ask Tassos to put it in the calendar

Tassos has access to the beamline calendar where data collection are being scheduled. He will put in your request if you tell him our current BAG number (format mx####) and the amount of crystals. When this is done, the beamtime is, in principle, booked.

Sort out things in SMIS

Log in onto the ESRF User portal using the account of our BAG coordinator. Check whether your scheduled beamtime has an A-form available (usually after 2-3 working days of Tassos booking). Download the added Invitation Letter, it contains shipping instructions! In this letter it usually states to add the BAG responsible onto the A-form: do this via Edit A-form.
Furthermore, add your protein samples onto the A-form. If necessary, add your protein onto the list: the protein crystals you're about to send should be on there and should have green clearance for automated data collection!
Now you can submit the A-form: the BAG responsible will get a confirmation link that he/she should/will click.

Send samples

After having booked your timeslot, you can go ahead and send your crystals. So, fish, freeze and fill (the dewar)!

Note down the puck numbers and what crystal is in what slot

You will need this information to fill out the Excel sheet required for the data collection

Make the dewar ready for shipping

Organize SLS trip

References: Template:Reflist