Semi-automated microseeding of nanolitre crystallization experiments

A simple semi‐automated microseeding procedure for nanolitre crystallization experiments is described. Firstly, a microseed stock solution is made from microcrystals using a Teflon bead. A dilution series of this microseed stock is then prepared and dispensed as 100 nl droplets into 96‐well crystallization plates, facilitating the incorporation of seeding into high‐throughput crystallization pipelines. This basic microseeding procedure has been modified to include additive‐screening and cross‐seeding methods. Five examples in which these techniques have been used successfully are described.