Suite controls the automation of crystallisation instruments, guides the design of experiments, collects all available crystallisation data. and enables easy data mining for experiment optimisation
Thermo Electron has announced the availability of version 1.6 of its Rhombix software suite - bringing coherence to the whole crystallisation process.
The software suite not only controls the automation of Rhombix crystallisation instruments, but also guides the successful design of experiments, collects all available crystallisation data and enables easy data mining for experiment optimisation.
Via a Microsoft Windows Terminal service and a centralised database, it also offers the ultimate in international collaboration, with local or remote control of all aspects of crystallisation, says Thermo.
The software was written from the ground up in conjunction with leading crystallographers and has many more useful features, such as the ability to accept parameters in a spreadsheet format, allowing easy integration of older data.
It is described as intuitive and specific for protein crystallisation, allowing the user to focus their entire attention on the science of crystallisation.
The software makes it possible to accurately record the multitude of different parameters required to design and carry-out crystallisation experiments on thousands of different compounds.
It also incorporates a definitions database so that common and bespoke, chemical and macromolecular reagents can be stored and managed with relevant physicochemical data.
By fully integrating these design tools with the advanced range of automated Rhombix instruments, the software enables the user to maximise their experimental output.
Since all experimental data are carefully stored in a searchable database, data mining and reporting tools can be used to present data in a user-defined format and provide the crystallographer with information necessary for experiment optimisation.
The Rhombix software suite is designed by crystallographers for crystallographers and therefore allows users to concentrate on the application of their crystals to protein structure and drug discovery research, says Thermo.
This software package helps link experimental design, process control and analysis into a coherent flow so that the plethora of experiments, protocols and results is much more manageable.