BAG Access

The generic BAG proposal form can be found here and a version with the necessary sub-headings for XChem here.

The webform for generating a 6 month BAG report summary can be found here.

The general route for BAG proposals applies, details here.

The UAS can be accessed via this link.

In the proposal page:

• Select the 'Proposals' tab
• Under "Instruments", add "XChem" only
• For number of shifts:  calculate 1 shift for Tier 1 projects, and 4 shifts for each Tier 2 (see next section for definitions).
• Under "ERA", re-use the instructions given for Standard Access proposals.

'Beamline Requirements Summary':

Indicates the requested usage for the next allocation period (6 months)

• Left column - enter the individual PIs/projects to be evaluated
• Right column - enter beamtime requirements based on Standard Access Tiers (see here for more information):
  • Tier 1 equivalent: 1 shift (8 hours): for experiments where a credible strategy is not yet in place for following up any hits, yet feasibility of the screen itself is high, or the science justifies exploratory XChem access to establish feasibility.
  • Tier 2 equivalent: 4 shifts (32 hours): for experiments where feasibility was demonstrated, and a robust strategy is articulated for progressing hits to potency.
  • Tier 3 (hit-to-lead development) equivalent: 1 shift (8 hours) per 200 compounds: for experiments where an XChem screen has been successfully completed and the project would benefit from structural support for follow-up work using the XChem platform.

'Science Context':

Use the following headings and sub-headings:

• BAG description
  • BAG overview. Describe the BAG: who are the PIs, why they would form an effective BAG, why the collectively need XChem access, what are the various track records in small molecule development.
  • Target selection process. Describe the mechanism and criteria by which projects are selected and prioritised for progression, and you review that these are effective.
  • Target progression. Describe infrastructure and funding available for progressing targets, including biophysical assay techniques, computational chemistry support and Med. Chem. expertise.
  • XChem expertise. Specify the designated XChem expert(s): what is their general crystallography and specific XChem experience, by what mechanism are they available for the duration of the BAG.
  • Coordination. Describe how the BAG will operate, including any coordination of hit-to-lead follow-up.
• Science cases
  • Add a science case for each project due in next allocation period (6 months) (3-500 words each). 
  • Provide enough information that, even if the panel does not approve the BAG as a whole, it can still meaningfully evaluate the merit of individual projects.
  • Provide a title as header for each project.
  • Provide subsections on project feasibility, including:
    • Crystal availability and plate format
    • Average resolution and diffraction reproducibility 
    • Any known solvent tolerance and cryoprotectant requirements
    • Any other important information relating to crystallisation
  • Provide details on orthogonal assay strategy and availability
  • Provide details on Med. Chem. strategy and resource availability

Reports

• If a new BAG, one report for every XChem project previously performed by all participating PIs (copy-paste from reports already submitted UAS is appropriate).
• If a current BAG: one report for every XChem screen performed in the previous allocation period.
• Reports should demonstrate effectiveness of both the experiment, and of hit exploitation. Include experiment statistics, how hits were progressed, potencies achieved, further funding secured, and resulting publications.
• IP sensitive information is not required.
• Reuse the original title as header for each report.
• Each report need only be long enough to communicate the above points to the panel.
• Please double check the report pdf is formatted correctly and readable before submitting.