Designed to fit on a lab table as well as into any budget, the XTal Focus Station is a modular & expandable protein crystal imaging & analysis system. It can be configured to meet a large range of budgetary and performance requirements, from low-throughput research applications to high-throughput, drug discovery programs. 

The XTal Focus system automatically images crystallization experiments and links images with crystallization conditions. The data is captured in @Consult, which provides a chemical and crystallization database, including initial crystallization screens. XTal Focus provides a simple, yet powerful interface, for viewing images and conditions for evaluation and scoring. Additionally, @Consult uses web browser technologies to provide remote viewing and scoring over the web or across other platforms such as Mac or PC.

Using a high-resolution imaging system that can visualize any drop experiments across most commercially available plate types, it facilitates scoring and reporting, as well as experimental design and project management. (the system can be installed in a cold room)

Image acquisition includes extended focusing on Z stack images which guarantees excellent display of crystal at any depth. Optionally several post sharpening treatments can be applied on the images. XTal Focus can drive any motorized microscope (upright or inverted, Leica - Zeiss - Olympus or Nikon). The image format is JPEG 2000, which uses state-of-the-art compression techniques to maintain quality and reduce storage size.

 @Consult as mentioned above is a powerful and intuitive MySQL based database module that streamlines the arduous process of protein crystallization. This relational database tracks information such as chemicals, screens, protein samples, images, and scores. @Consult simplifies and aids in the crystallization process by providing tools that enable users to greatly improve crystallization trial productivity with minimal user intervention, design well-targeted experiments, efficiently use protein samples and set up repeatable optimization experiments.

Image viewing and scoring

Quickly retrieve, analyze, and score images
View conditions associated with each image
View a time line of images, collected throughout the life of the experiment
View thumbnails of an entire plate for quick examination of overall dispense quality

Export XTal Focus Consult files (xml) to consult image and information

Web based remote viewing

View and score images and conditions remotely using XTal Focus
Browser technologies provide cross-platform capabilities for viewing image results from Mac or LINUX

Xtal Focus is recognized for the quality of the images, the robustness of the system,
the speed of acquisition (150 plates/day) and the modularity of the solution. This system
automatically analyzes crystallization experiments and links images with crystallization
conditions. The database provides a detailed
crystallization solution database, including commercial and custom crystallization screens.
Xtal Focus provides a powerful and flexible interface, for viewing images and conditions
for evaluation and scoring.
The system could be installed in a cold room.