Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

L. Launer is a key figure in the development of automation for macromolecular crystallography (MX), a field critical to structural biology and drug discovery. Their most significant contribution is the co-definition of the SPINE standard sample holder and vial for cryocooled crystals, a foundational innovation detailed in their highly cited 2006 paper (111 citations). This standardized, robot-compatible mount revolutionized high-throughput data collection by enabling reliable, automated sample exchange at synchrotrons worldwide. Launer further advanced the field by addressing the practical challenges of modern beamlines, as seen in their 2007 work on optimizing data collection strategies with new-generation instruments. By bridging the gap between sample preparation and the intense, micro-focused beams of third-generation synchrotrons, Launer’s work has directly accelerated the pace of structural determination. Their contributions remain essential infrastructure for the MX community, enabling researchers to quickly obtain the best possible data from precious crystals.