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ROCK MAKER: The
Crystallography Center
Chapter 14
ROCK MAKER is a complex, powerful laboratory information management system. Using ROCK
MAKER, you can design screens and experiments; print barcode labels for plates and ingredient
bottles; dispense plates (if ROCK MAKER is integrated with a liquid handling robot); view and score
images; track conditions; optimize around conditions; and mine data using Search and Filter. ROCK
MAKER is also where you can create custom imaging settings and create and edit imaging schedules.
To use ROCK MAKER experiments, you only need to know a few ROCK MAKER basics, listed below:
●
How to create an experiment and define imaging settings in ROCK MAKER.
●
How to print a barcode label for your plate in ROCK MAKER.
●
How to view and score images in ROCK MAKER.
To create an experiment in ROCK MAKER, you will need to create a protein formulation, define the
volumes and locations on your plate, and add a screen. ROCK MAKER includes walk-through tutorials
that assist you with these processes via a feature called
ROCK MAKER University
(RMU). RMU includes
both tours and tutorials – a tour is indicated by a tour bus; tutorials are indicated by graduation caps.
Tours are informative. Tutorials assist you with completing a task. Once you learn how to perform
basic tasks, you can create experiments and proteins on your own. If you need to create both a protein
formulation and a screen formulation, follow the instructions below. If you already have a protein
formulation, skip to “Creating a Screen Experiment”.
Important
: You will be asked to select an imaging schedule during the “Create a
Screen Experiment” tutorial. An imaging schedule is only necessary if you want to
image the plate over a series of time and plan on leaving it inside ROCK IMAGER.
However, you must select the imaging settings regardless.
Creating an Experiment in ROCK MAKER
