Fully Automated Data Collection Using PAM and the Development of PAM∕SPACE Reversible Cassettes

Abstract

To remotely control and automatically collect data in high‐throughput X‐ray data collection experiments, the Structural Biology Research Center at the Photon Factory (PF) developed and installed sample exchange robots PAM (PF Automated Mounting system) at PF macromolecular crystallography beamlines; BL‐5A, BL‐17A, AR‐NW12A and AR‐NE3A. We developed and installed software that manages the flow of the automated X‐ray experiments; sample exchanges, loop‐centering and X‐ray diffraction data collection. The fully automated data collection function has been available since February 2009. To identify sample cassettes, PAM employs a two‐dimensional bar code reader. New beamlines, BL‐1A at the Photon Factory and BL32XU at SPring‐8, are currently under construction as part of Targeted Proteins Research Program (TPRP) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. However, different robots, PAM and SPACE (SPring‐8 Precise Automatic Cryo‐sample Exchanger), will be installed at BL‐1A and BL32XU, respectively. For the convenience of the users of both facilities, pins and cassettes for PAM and SPACE are developed as part of the TPRP.