The Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System™ (also called MPCS™ and Plug Maker™) is a next generation protein crystallization workstation for the desktop. The semi-automated MPCS™ enables you to obtain crystals from just nanoliters of protein. The instrument performs high-throughput, batch-style crystallization in 'plugs' inside portable CrystalCards™. Up to 800 experiments can be set up with only 4 µL protein, greatly increasing your chances of obtaining a crystal. Use the Plug Maker to screen, optimize, and produce diffraction-quality crystals right on your lab bench, with volumes previously thought to be untenable. The Plug Maker™ is the winner of the 2010 Association for Lab Automation New Product Award.

Instruments cannot be ordered online. Please contact a sales representative.

Screen more conditions

• Sparse matrix

• Gradient (Hybrid)

• Fine gradient

• Ligand screening

Easily Optimize

• Visualize crystallization sweet spots

• Microfluidic seeding

Obtain Diffraction-Ready Crystals

• Extract and diffract

• In situ diffraction

• Cryo-preserve

Efficient use of protein

• The entire protein sample is utilized in crystallization experiments

• Requires only nanoliters of protein

The MPCS™ embodies a new semi-automated crystallization technology which enables you to obtain crystals from nanoliters of protein. Proteins grow in a CrystalCard™ placticware format which can be easily removed for traditional cryoprotection and X-ray diffraction studies.

The MPCS™ generates droplets that represent hundreds of microbatch-style crystallization experiments, each with a different chemical composition.

This technology is ideal for optimization by high-granularity gradient screening using precipitation agents, ligands, or cryoprotectants.

Links and Documentation

• MPCS Explained Video. See the MPCS Plug Maker in action, creating crystallization plug experiments with examples of Diffraction-Ready crystals that have resulted in high resolution structures.

• Printable brochure of MPCS Plug Maker (PDF). Learn about the features and benefits of the MPCS Plug Maker.

• Slide Deck in PDF Form. More details about the features and benefits of the MPCS Plug Maker.

• Peer reviewed paper: Gertds CL, et al., Nanovolume optimization of protein crystal growth using the Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System. Acta Cryst. (2010).

• Peer reviewed paper: Gertds CL, et al., The plug-based nanovolume Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS). Acta Cryst. (2008). D64(Pt 11):1116-22. Epub 2008 Oct 18.