Adding VMXi samples to UAS

For macromolecualr crystallography, the samples defined in UAS are the proteins or DNA that are crystallised. Each sample definition can represent many different single crystals, or crystal trays which will be processed. 

Samples registered in UAS must match those in ISPyB; see Registering a Protein in ISPyB for further details.

This should be done by the proposal PI or Alternative Contact prior to the sample or plates arriving on site.

Samples Tab

To define a sample in UAS:

• Sign into UAS, and navigate to the proposal

• Select the relevant proposal

• Select the samples tab

Creating a new sample

To create a new sample:

Which brings up a sample window:

The yellow boxes need to be filled in to complete the sample.

The acyronym field must be filled, and must match the protein name later used in ISPyB.

Each sample hazard type:

• Biological material
• Chemical/substance/material
• Radiological material
• Non-Hazardous Material

Biological materials should specify:

• Function of sample
• Immediate source organism
• Sample type
• Sample holder
• Details on any Human Cells within the sample
• Details on any genetically modified organism in the sample
• Is the sample in schedule 5: Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ATCSA) Schedule 5 details pathogens and toxins governed by ATCSA.

The sample holder and sample type can include multiple options. For VMXi, you need to select crystal tray and cryoEM grid in the Sample Holder section and both single crystal and liquid/solution in the Sample type section. Use CTRL key to select multiple different preparations of the sample. If there are differences in the source organism, or hazard classes between each sample prepartion, these should be submitted as seperate samples.

Furthermore the biological risk details for each sample should be specified:

• Hazard group (1,2  or 3: as defined here)
• Specific Hazards such as carciogencity 
• Contianment Level (1,2,3)
• Additional safety measures to be in place

A comment box is provided for Diamond Health and Safety to communicate any specific risk assessments or extra measures that should be associated with that sample.

Copying Samples from another proposal

​It is possible to add samples from your existing proposals to a new propsoal, or an updated proposal.

Brings up a window to select from an alternate proposal:

Copying sample within a proposal

​A sample can be copied, i.e. adding a protein from a different source organism, within a proposal. Copied samples need to be verified by the Diamond health and safety team.

To copy a sample, select copy sample from samples tab:

Which brings up the sample in an editable interface:

This can be edited as a new sample would be.