# Protein Crystallization Imager

> **NIH NIH S10** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $136,284

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This application is requesting funds to purchase a Formulatrix ROCK IMAGER® 2 with Dual Light Path and
capable of both ultraviolet (UV) and multi-fluorescence imaging to monitor and capture high-throughput
crystallization screening experiments. The primary application of the new imager will be to accelerate
crystallization screening in the institutional Advanced Technology Core (ATC) for Macromolecular X-ray
Crystallography at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). The ROCK IMAGER 2 will replace the existing imaging
system that was purchased in 2008, and will be no longer maintained or serviced by the manufacturer. The new
imager will enhance the capabilities of the X-ray Core by enabling the rapid screening of protein crystals and
crystals of fluorescently-labeled macromolecular complexes. In addition to the seven Major Users, who are
experienced with protein crystallization or use X-ray crystallography for their research, four Minor Users have
expressed interest in using the ROCK IMAGER 2 for crystallization screening through the Macromolecular X-ray
Crystallography ATC.
 Besides BCM, there are only two other academic institutions in the Texas Medical Center (TMC)
possessing an imaging system, neither of which is available for use by Core Staff. The requested instrument will
be housed and managed by the X-ray Core to provide major services for the crystallization of proteins and their
functional complexes with nucleic acids, small molecules, or both. The growing demand to discover new drugs
reflects the College’s strategic plans for precision medicine and translational research, where health
professionals and basic researchers come together to develop new therapeutics against emerging infectious
diseases, diabetes and obesity, male contraceptive, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition to greatly
enhancing the Core's workflow, the new imager will advance the individual research programs of users and will
be made available to all investigators in the TMC to help find a structure solution of their macromolecule of
interest.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176250
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030246-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Sukyeong Lee
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $136,284
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176250

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176250, Protein Crystallization Imager (1S10OD030246-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176250. Licensed CC0.

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