Standard Access (includes iNEXT Discovery and EUbOPEN)

The Two-Tier System For Standard Access

In the standard access, each proposal covers a single target. Proposals are evaluated by an independent Peer Review Panel (PRP) for access via one of two tiers:

Tier 1 Access:

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.

While such proposals might have been unsuccessful previously; we are now welcoming them for initial feasibility assessment and (if required) discussions with the XChem team on formulating a credible hit follow-up strategy. Successful Tier 1 projects can be fast-tracked for Tier 2 access through rapid online peer-review.

Tier 2 Access:

For experiments where feasibility is demonstrated and a robust strategy is articulated for progressing XChem hits to potency. These correspond to proposals that were successful in the previous, un-tiered access mode.

Approved proposals are allocated a certain amount of beamtime, the use of which needs to be appropriately allocated to users. The PRP may decide to re-assign the tier that Diamond finally offers.

Applying For Standard Access (Including iNEXT Discovery and EUbOPEN)

Applying for Standard Access is the same for each tier for both UK-based users and EU-based users applying via iNEXT Discovery:

Complete the Standard Access Form which can be downloaded here. The form includes complete instructions for submitting via the User Administration System (UAS). An example of a completed Standard Access Form can be downloaded here for your guidance
On the UAS:
- Select the 'Proposals' tab at the top of the screen
- Press: 'Create New Proposal'
- Select: 'No - This is a completely new proposal' in the Beamtime Request Wizard
- Select: 'Standard - A one-off proposal for a six month allocation period.

iNEXT-Discovery:

Access for European (non-UK) users is funded by iNEXT -Discovery, which supports beamtime as well as travel and subsistence. Eligible proposals will be reviewed and ranked along with all other proposals, by the same peer review panel, so access will be determined entirely on scientific merit.

To allow eligible proposals to be tracked, the iNEXT “PID” is required.

Therefore, BEFORE SUBMITTING TO DIAMOND:

create a separate proposal on iNEXT’s ARIA system
where applicable, copy-paste from the XChem proposal form is entirely acceptable and indeed recommended
use the same title as the Diamond proposal
after submission to ARIA, enter the PID that will be emailed to you into the Diamond XChem proposal form

European users who do not follow these exact instructions will end up responsible for their own travel and subsistence, which might add up to a substantial cost, due to the nature of the experiment

EUbOPEN:

To be considered for an XChem collaboration in the EUbOPEN project, check in the proposal form: "EUbOPEN collaboration" (under chemistry).

Guidance For Completing Your Application

Some instructions for specific fields are provided here:

Science overview tab:

Title: ~10 words, and include target name and (if relevant) disease or biological relevance
Abstract: 2-3 sentences, ~50
- should be understandable by a reviewer who is not a specialist in your area of biology
- must allow reviewers to recognise potential conflict-of-interest without seeing the full proposal.
Science Case: Download and fill in the XChem science case template (it's the same one that's linked earlier on this page). Detailed instructions are at the end of the document.

Beamlines tab:

Beamlines: select 'XChem'
Number of Shifts:
- For Tier 1 enter '1'
- For Tier 2 enter '4'
Access to RCaH: select 'Yes'

Experimental methods tab

Select 'Create New Experimental Method'
Enter new experiment method details e.g. copy-paste the following text to the corresponding fields (the risk assessment and COSSH are available on request):
- Name: 'fragment screening in lab XChem and I04-1'
- Sample method statement: 'Crystals will be brought pre-grown by users or grown using Diamond and RCaH crystallization robotics. Fragment compounds will be transferred to crystal drops using the ECHO liquid handler. Crystals will be harvested using a Shifter device and frozen in liquid nitrogen. See lab standard 7 (LSRA7) here'
- Beamline method statement: 'Crystals frozen in lab XChem will be transferred to beamline I04-1 and auto-collected in cryogenic queue mode, with or without the users present. Crystal loading and unloading will be performed by local contacts or occasionally users themselves.'

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