Chameleon

Chameleon is an automatic sample preparation system being developed by SPT Labtech and The Rosalind Franklin Institute (The Franklin). eBIC are project partners working closely in collaboration with Jim Naismith (The Franklin) and Miriam Weckener (SPT Labtech).

Chameleon will automate cryo-EM sample preparation giving better, more reliable results than is currently possible. Recent advancements mean that increasingly challenging samples are able to be imaged using cryo-EM, making it possible to determine their structure with atomic resolution.

However, sample preparation remains low throughput due to it still being a largely manual process, and gives inconsistent, non-repeatable results. Chameleon will offer users real-time feedback, which will guide sample preparation and quality control. This will lead to reduced variability, improved sample yields and reduced sample consumption. It will also make workflows simpler.

We are pleased to offer access to the chameleon cryo-EM freezing device (application) developed commercially by SPT Labtech. This forms part of a collaboration between Diamond, the Rosalind Franklin Institute and SPT Labtech. The chameleon uses piezo electric inkjet dispensing technology to apply nanolitre volumes of protein solution to self-wicking cryo-EM grids.

Please select the Rapid access route and the Chameleon + Talos instruments when you submit your proposal and describe the scientific value to expect to gain from using the chameleon.

• proposals will be reviewed by eBIC staff, based on availability
• we request that users from the EU concurrently apply through instruct-ERIC
• please follow this link for details about requirements and visit structure (download)
• for enquiries please contact [email protected]