Desktop Minstrel™ UV: Crystal imaging for protein crystallography
Screen your crystals quickly, accurately and automatically
Rigaku introduces the
patent pending Desktop Minstrel UV, the world's first fully automated
UV imaging and protein crystal monitoring system that uses UV fluorescence
microscopy and successfully monitors crystal growth by distinguishing protein
crystals from non-protein crystals, such as salt. The Desktop Minstrel UV uses
patent pending Clean Light Technology™ and includes an ultraviolet microscope, providing
illumination with the wavelength matching the absorption of the fluorescing
amino acids, such as tryptophan. The fluorescing light is digitally recorded by
a camera with a CCD sensor.
The Desktop Minstrel UV is built upon the platform of Rigaku's state-of-art imaging automation technology, the Desktop Minstrel, which makes the evaluation of a large number of crystallization experiments possible. The Desktop Minstrel UV enables researchers to accurately harvest protein crystals for data collection or design follow-up experiments.
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Protein crystals in a heavy precipitate are easily identified by UV image (right) but not in visible image (left) |
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Desktop Minstrel UV and optional Gallery™ 160 Plate Hotel specifications:
Physical parameters:
- Stand-alone Desktop Minstrel UV:
- Weight: 140 lb (64 kg)
- Unit height: 30.8" (78.2 cm), depth 22.1" (56.1 cm), width 21.6" (54.9 cm)
- Desktop Minstrel UV with Gallery 160 Plate Hotel:
- Weight: 435 lb (199 kg)
- Unit height: 42.3" (107.4 cm), depth 26.9" (68.3 cm), width 50.2" (127.5 cm)
Electrical and features:
- Stand-alone Desktop Minstrel UV:
- Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 270 VA, Max: 1060 VA
- Desktop Minstrel UV with Gallery 160
Plate Hotel:
- Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 360 VA, Max: 1368 VA
Gallery 160 Plate storage capacity: up to 162 plates and 6 plate cassettes
Temperature range:
- Ambient range: 4°C to 37°C
- Operating range of 4° to 37°C
Room humidity range:
- 10 - 80% RH non-condensing
Software:
- CrystalTrak™
- Desktop Minstrel control software
Illumination type: Programmable LED backlight and UV Clean Light Technology (CLT)
Barcode type: Code 128