Creating a Protein Formulation¶

Creating a protein formulation involves adding protein details, ingredients, and, if necessary, standard ingredients.

Creating a protein formulation involves adding the target protein’s attributes/parameters and necessary crystallization ingredients, to optimize the crystallization conditions. This tailored process ensures a conducive environment for crystallization trials, addressing specific protein properties and experimental goals.

To create a protein formulation:

Go to the Explore menu and open a project.

An Opened Project in Explore Menu
Click the NEW button and select Protein to open a New Protein Formulation tab.

Selecting Protein
In the New Protein Formulation tab:

New Protein Formulation Tab
- Enter
  - a name in the Protein Name field or use the default name.
  - the class of the protein formulation, e.g., its protein family name or compound series name, in the Class field.
  - the protein formulation volume in the Volume field.
  - any characters representing the protein formulation in the Protein Lot ID field.
  - the temperature at which the protein formulation is stored in the Storage Temp. field.
  - the extinction coefficient of the protein formulation in the Extinction Coefficient field.
  - the page in your notebook, referring to the same protein formulation in the Notebook Page# field.
  - a note in the Notes field.
- (OPTIONAL) Attach a file in the Attachment field by clicking the BROWSE button. No specified format is required.
Add ingredients in the Ingredient section by manually adding them or importing a protein file.
Adding Ingredients Manually
To add ingredients manually:
1. Click at the top right of the Ingredient section.
2. Complete all columns in the new ingredient row.
  Select an ingredient type in the Type column.
  
  Enter
  
  the ingredient name in the Name column.
  
  the ingredient ID in the ID column. It helps assign an ingredient tracking number if you use a database other than ROCK MAKER.
  
  the lot number in the Lot column. It helps track an ingredient lot number stored in a database other than ROCK MAKER.
  
  the molecular weight of the ingredient in kilodaltons in the MW(kDA) column.
  
  the ingredient concentration in milligrams per milliliter in the Conc. (mg/mL) column. This automatically generates the value in the Conc. (mM) column.
  
  Adding Ingredients
Adding Ingredients by Importing a TXT Protein File
Prerequisite:
- You have a TXT protein file. Otherwise, download the template by clicking the Download Protein Template link.
  
  Download Protein Template Link
  
  Important
  
  Data must be separated by tabs.
To import a protein file:
1. Click the IMPORT button at the top right of the Ingredient section.
  
  Import Button
2. In the dialog box, select a TXT protein file and click OPEN. The data from the TXT file is then added to the Ingredient section.
  
  Selecting a TXT File
3. If everything is set, click the Save button on the top right bar.
Add standard ingredients in the Standard Ingredient section.

To add a standard ingredient:
1. Click ADD INGREDIENTS.
  
  ADD INGREDIENTS Button
2. In the Edit Standard Ingredients panel, do the following:
  
  Edit Standard Ingredients Panel
  - Select an ingredient from the list in the Name field.
  - In the Stock field, select a stock from the list.
  - Select an ingredient type from the Type dropdown.
    
    Note
    
    The Type field will remain disabled if the selected ingredient consists of only one type.
  - Type the desired ingredient concentration in the Conc. field.
    
    Note
    
    The concentration you enter cannot exceed the stock concentration.
  For buffers, click the Low and High pH fields, and select the desired stocks.
  
  Low and High pH Fields
  
  The High pH field is optional and depends on the selected Low pH. N/A at the end of the pH (N/A-N/A) field’s name indicates no high pH is selected.
  
  Then, click APPLY.
3. To add more standard ingredients, repeat steps 1 – 2.
If everything is set, click the Save button on the top right bar.