UTSW Structural Biology Laboratory

Overview of Services

The Structural Biology Laboratory (SBL) provides access and assistance with the techniques of X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering and high resolution imaging as well as single particle reconstruction in cryo-electron microscopy. For X-ray this includes assistance with crystal screening and optimization, in-house X-ray diffraction screening and data collection, synchrotron data collection at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) for single crystals and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. For single particle cryo-EM, this includes assistance with protein sample preparation, grid preparation for negative staining and cryo-EM, grid optimization, collection, processing and analysis of data from in-house or remote microscopes, structure determination and validation. SBL is on-track to offer Micro-crystal Electron Diffraction (microED) service in 2022.

Core Staff

Diana Tomchick, Ph.D.

Director

214-645-6383

Diana.Tomchick@UTSouthwestern.edu

Zhe (James) Chen, Ph.D.

co-Director on Cryo-EM

214-648-1207

Zhe.Chen@UTSouthwestern.edu

Yang Li, Ph.D.

Assitant Professor

214-645-5849

Yang2.Li@UTSouthwestern.edu

Helen Aronovich

Senior Research Associate

214-645-6382

Helen.Aronovich@UTSouthwestern.edu

Location and hours of operation

Hours

Location

Monday - Friday

9 AM - 5 PM

24/7 Availability for trained instrument usage

ND Building, floors 8 & 10

6001 Forest Park Rd.

Dallas, TX 75390-8816

Links and Resources

Structural Biology Lab (utsouthwestern.edu)

Contacts

Name	Role	Phone	Email	Location
Diana Tomchick, Ph.D.	Director	214-645-6383	Diana.Tomchick@UTSouthwestern.edu	ND10.214A
Zhe (James) Chen, Ph.D.	co-Director	214-648-1207	Zhe.Chen@UTSouthwestern.edu	ND10.214F

Service List

Name	Description	Price
12 mm glass coverslips, siliconized (Per pack)	Pack of 240 coverslips	Internal $70.25 each UT System/In Network $70.25 each External $140.50 each Commercial/Industry $210.75 each UTSW Generic $175.65 each
15-well crystallization optimization tray, Nextal	Includes all consumables	Internal $40.25 each UT System/In Network $40.25 each External $80.50 each Commercial/Industry $120.75 each UTSW Generic $100.65 each
22 mm glass coverslips, siliconized (Per pack)	Pack of 122 coverslips	Internal $43.00 each UT System/In Network $43.00 each External $86.00 each Commercial/Industry $129.00 each UTSW Generic $107.50 each
24-4 well crystallization sitting drop tray, Intelliplate	Includes all consumables	Internal $27.50 each UT System/In Network $27.50 each External $55.00 each Commercial/Industry $82.50 each UTSW Generic $68.75 each
24-well crystallization optimization tray (VDX)	Includes all consumables	Internal $36.50 each UT System/In Network $36.50 each External $73.00 each Commercial/Industry $109.50 each UTSW Generic $91.25 each
24-well crystallization optimization tray, Nextal	Includes all consumables	Internal $41.00 each UT System/In Network $41.00 each External $82.00 each Commercial/Industry $123.00 each UTSW Generic $102.50 each
24-well crystallization sitting drop tray, Cryschem	Includes all consumables	Internal $20.00 each UT System/In Network $20.00 each External $40.00 each Commercial/Industry $60.00 each UTSW Generic $50.00 each
48-well crystallization optimization tray	Includes all consumables	Internal $43.00 each UT System/In Network $43.00 each External $86.00 each Commercial/Industry $129.00 each UTSW Generic $107.50 each
96-well robotic crystallization screen	Charge if user supplies their own robotic crystallization plate	Internal $23.50 each UT System/In Network $23.50 each External $47.00 each Commercial/Industry $70.50 each UTSW Generic $58.75 each
96-well sitting drop tray (Corning)	Includes all consumables	Internal $40.00 each UT System/In Network $40.00 each External $80.00 each Commercial/Industry $120.00 each UTSW Generic $100.00 each
Additional data processing, EM	From 2D to 3D refinement/postprocessing. Including 2D class selection-> 3D initial model -> 3D classification/analysis -> 3D refinement -> postprocessing and analysis with FSC curves. Please note: The rates listed below are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate per user classification would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $410.00 each UT System/In Network $410.00 each External $820.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,230.00 each UTSW Generic $1,025.00 each
Advanced data processing	Final CTF refinement and particle polishing (requires Relion motion correction step). Please note: The rates listed are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate per user classification would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $410.00 each UT System/In Network $410.00 each External $820.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,230.00 each UTSW Generic $1,025.00 each
C-clip and ring (sold as a pair)	for clipping cryo-EM grid to form an Autogrid	Internal $23.50 each UT System/In Network $23.50 each External $47.00 each UTSW Generic $58.75 each Commercial/Industry $70.50 each
Crystal shipping to synchrotron via FedEx	Sample shipping both to and from synchrotron via FedEx. Prices are per sample. Service not available for commercial customers.	Internal $3.50 each UT System/In Network $3.50 each
Crystallization robot (Per tray)	Trained or self use of crystallization robot; users will be charged for per plate usage, see charges under "Consumables, X-ray".	Internal $31.50 plate UT System/In Network $31.50 plate External $63.00 plate Commercial/Industry $94.50 plate UTSW Generic $78.75 each
Data collection or grid screening, negative stain EM, 120kV TEM, assisted	Price includes a $50/hour instrument usage for internal users. Instrument usage costs are higher for other users.	Internal $111.50 each UT System/In Network $111.50 each External $223.00 each Commercial/Industry $334.50 each UTSW Generic $278.75 each
Data collection, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, assisted setup	This is a flat fee; price does NOT include per hour instrument usage.	Internal $220.00 each UT System/In Network $220.00 each External $440.00 each Commercial/Industry $660.00 each UTSW Generic $550.00 each
Data collection, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, assisted setup	This is a flat fee; price does NOT include the per hour instrument usage.	Internal $275.00 each UT System/In Network $275.00 each External $550.00 each Commercial/Industry $825.00 each UTSW Generic $687.50 each
EM grid, C-flat		Inquire
EM grid, copper	for negative stain EM	Internal $3.25 each UT System/In Network $3.25 each External $6.50 each Commercial/Industry $9.75 each UTSW Generic $8.15 each
EM grid, lacey carbon, 300 mesh, copper	for cryo-EM data collection	Inquire
EM grid, Quantifoil/copper	for cryo-EM data collection	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each
EM grid, Quantifoil/gold	for cryo-EM data collection	Inquire
EM specimen preparation for cryo-EM, assisted	For cryo-EM screening and data collection. Includes per hour charge for Vitrobot usage.	Internal $87.00 each UT System/In Network $87.00 each External $174.00 each Commercial/Industry $261.00 each UTSW Generic $217.50 each
EM Specimen preparation for cryo-EM, unassisted	For cryo-EM screening and data collection. This is the per hour charge for Vitrobot usage.	Internal $25.50 each UT System/In Network $25.50 each External $51.00 each Commercial/Industry $76.50 each UTSW Generic $63.75 each
EM Specimen preparation for negative staining, assisted	For screening samples prior to screening by cryo-EM data and/or data collection.	Internal $71.75 each UT System/In Network $71.75 each External $143.50 each Commercial/Industry $261.00 each UTSW Generic $179.40 each
EM Specimen preparation for negative staining, unassisted	For screening samples prior to screening by cryo-EM data and/or data collection.	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each
Grid box, cryo, holds 4 Autogrids	for storage of frozen, clipped grids in liquid nitrogen	Internal $15.50 each UT System/In Network $15.50 each External $31.00 each Commercial/Industry $46.50 each UTSW Generic $38.75 each
Grid box, holds 4 unclipped grids	for storage of frozen, unclipped grids in liquid nitrogen.	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, assisted	Price includes per hour charges for instrument usage as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Internal $96.50 each UT System/In Network $96.50 each External $193.00 each Commercial/Industry $354.50 each UTSW Generic $298.75 each
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, unassisted	Only available to internal users. These are the per hour charges for microscope time, as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	UT System/In Network $35.00 each External $70.00 each Commercial/Industry $170.00 each UTSW Generic $145.00 each
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, assisted	Price includes per hour charges for instrument usage as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Inquire
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, unassisted	Only available to internal users. These are the per hour charges for microscope time, as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Internal $40.00 each UT System/In Network $40.00 each External $80.00 each Commercial/Industry $210.00 each UTSW Generic $175.00 each
In-house data collection and processing, X-ray, assisted	Assisted data collection, processing and scaling of in-house single-crystal data, per dataset	Internal $51.00 each UT System/In Network $51.00 each External $102.00 each Commercial/Industry $153.00 each UTSW Generic $127.50 each
Initial data analysis and data processing, EM, assisted	From movies to 2D classification. Including motion correction (if needed) -> CTF estimate -> particle picking/selection -> 2D classification/analysis. Please note: The rates listed below are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate of $60/hour would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $255.00 each UT System/In Network $255.00 each External $510.00 each Commercial/Industry $765.00 each UTSW Generic $637.50 each
Manuscript preparation, EM	Includes generation of figures and tables, description of methods, manuscript text, deposition of coordinates in database (PDB and/or EMDB).	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each External $310.00 each Commercial/Industry $465.00 each UTSW Generic $387.50 each
Manuscript preparation, X-ray		Internal $250.00 each UT System/In Network $250.00 each External $500.00 each Commercial/Industry $750.00 each UTSW Generic $625.00 each
Mica (Per sheet)	for carbon coated grid preparation	Internal $5.00 each UT System/In Network $5.00 each External $10.00 each Commercial/Industry $15.00 each UTSW Generic $12.50 each
MicroMax-003 data collection	Prices are per hour basis.	Internal $25.00 /hr UT System/In Network $25.00 /hr External $50.00 /hr Commercial/Industry $75.00 /hr UTSW Generic $62.50 each
MicroMax-003 w/ACTOR robot for crystal screening	Robotic crystal screening of frozen samples. Prices are per hour basis. Assisted usage only.	Internal $25.00 each UT System/In Network $25.00 each External $50.00 each Commercial/Industry $75.00 each UTSW Generic $62.50 each
MicroMax-003 w/XtalCheck	for in situ screening and data collection of 96-condition crystallization screen plates. Prices are per hour basis. Assisted usage only. Room temperature only.	Internal $25.00 each UT System/In Network $25.00 each External $50.00 each Commercial/Industry $75.00 each UTSW Generic $62.50 each
Protein filters	0.22 micron filter for proteins	Internal $4.25 each UT System/In Network $4.25 each External $8.50 each Commercial/Industry $12.75 each UTSW Generic $10.65 each
Robotic crystallization consumables	Screen includes all consumables: tray, screen and sealing tapes.	Internal $31.50 each UT System/In Network $31.50 each External $63.00 each Commercial/Industry $94.50 each UTSW Generic $78.75 each
SAXS sample shipping to synchrotron via FedEx	Determined after trip is finished; costs to be shared by all users during specific data collection time. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $1.00 each UT System/In Network $1.00 each
Small Molecule structure determination	Includes data collection, structure determination, refinement and delivery of all data required for publication.	Inquire
Structure determination and refinement	Project Specific.	Internal $510.00 each UT System/In Network $510.00 each External $1,020.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,530.00 each UTSW Generic $1,275.00 each
Synchrotron Data Collection and Processing, X-ray, assisted	Assisted collection, processing and scaling of synchrotron single crystal X-ray data, per dataset. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each
Synchrotron SAXS Data Collection	Collection in one buffer @ 3 concentrations. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each

Search available services: View: by category alphabetically

Name	Description	Price
▼ ► Consumables, EM (9)
C-clip and ring (sold as a pair)	for clipping cryo-EM grid to form an Autogrid	Internal $23.50 each UT System/In Network $23.50 each External $47.00 each UTSW Generic $58.75 each Commercial/Industry $70.50 each
EM grid, Quantifoil/copper	for cryo-EM data collection	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each
EM grid, Quantifoil/gold	for cryo-EM data collection	Inquire
EM grid, copper	for negative stain EM	Internal $3.25 each UT System/In Network $3.25 each External $6.50 each Commercial/Industry $9.75 each UTSW Generic $8.15 each
EM grid, lacey carbon, 300 mesh, copper	for cryo-EM data collection	Inquire
EM grid, C-flat		Inquire
Grid box, cryo, holds 4 Autogrids	for storage of frozen, clipped grids in liquid nitrogen	Internal $15.50 each UT System/In Network $15.50 each External $31.00 each Commercial/Industry $46.50 each UTSW Generic $38.75 each
Grid box, holds 4 unclipped grids	for storage of frozen, unclipped grids in liquid nitrogen.	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each
Mica (Per sheet)	for carbon coated grid preparation	Internal $5.00 each UT System/In Network $5.00 each External $10.00 each Commercial/Industry $15.00 each UTSW Generic $12.50 each
▼ ► Consumables, X-ray (12)
Name	Description	Price
Robotic crystallization consumables	Screen includes all consumables: tray, screen and sealing tapes.	Internal $31.50 each UT System/In Network $31.50 each External $63.00 each Commercial/Industry $94.50 each UTSW Generic $78.75 each
96-well robotic crystallization screen	Charge if user supplies their own robotic crystallization plate	Internal $23.50 each UT System/In Network $23.50 each External $47.00 each Commercial/Industry $70.50 each UTSW Generic $58.75 each
Protein filters	0.22 micron filter for proteins	Internal $4.25 each UT System/In Network $4.25 each External $8.50 each Commercial/Industry $12.75 each UTSW Generic $10.65 each
24-well crystallization optimization tray (VDX)	Includes all consumables	Internal $36.50 each UT System/In Network $36.50 each External $73.00 each Commercial/Industry $109.50 each UTSW Generic $91.25 each
24-well crystallization sitting drop tray, Cryschem	Includes all consumables	Internal $20.00 each UT System/In Network $20.00 each External $40.00 each Commercial/Industry $60.00 each UTSW Generic $50.00 each
48-well crystallization optimization tray	Includes all consumables	Internal $43.00 each UT System/In Network $43.00 each External $86.00 each Commercial/Industry $129.00 each UTSW Generic $107.50 each
96-well sitting drop tray (Corning)	Includes all consumables	Internal $40.00 each UT System/In Network $40.00 each External $80.00 each Commercial/Industry $120.00 each UTSW Generic $100.00 each
15-well crystallization optimization tray, Nextal	Includes all consumables	Internal $40.25 each UT System/In Network $40.25 each External $80.50 each Commercial/Industry $120.75 each UTSW Generic $100.65 each
24-well crystallization optimization tray, Nextal	Includes all consumables	Internal $41.00 each UT System/In Network $41.00 each External $82.00 each Commercial/Industry $123.00 each UTSW Generic $102.50 each
24-4 well crystallization sitting drop tray, Intelliplate	Includes all consumables	Internal $27.50 each UT System/In Network $27.50 each External $55.00 each Commercial/Industry $82.50 each UTSW Generic $68.75 each
12 mm glass coverslips, siliconized (Per pack)	Pack of 240 coverslips	Internal $70.25 each UT System/In Network $70.25 each External $140.50 each Commercial/Industry $210.75 each UTSW Generic $175.65 each
22 mm glass coverslips, siliconized (Per pack)	Pack of 122 coverslips	Internal $43.00 each UT System/In Network $43.00 each External $86.00 each Commercial/Industry $129.00 each UTSW Generic $107.50 each
▼ ► Data collection & structure determination, EM (15)
Name	Description	Price
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, assisted	Price includes per hour charges for instrument usage as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Internal $96.50 each UT System/In Network $96.50 each External $193.00 each Commercial/Industry $354.50 each UTSW Generic $298.75 each
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, unassisted	Only available to internal users. These are the per hour charges for microscope time, as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	UT System/In Network $35.00 each External $70.00 each Commercial/Industry $170.00 each UTSW Generic $145.00 each
Data collection, cryo-EM, Talos Arctica, assisted setup	This is a flat fee; price does NOT include per hour instrument usage.	Internal $220.00 each UT System/In Network $220.00 each External $440.00 each Commercial/Industry $660.00 each UTSW Generic $550.00 each
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, assisted	Price includes per hour charges for instrument usage as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Inquire
Grid screening, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, unassisted	Only available to internal users. These are the per hour charges for microscope time, as determined by the CEMF (Cryo-EM Facility).	Internal $40.00 each UT System/In Network $40.00 each External $80.00 each Commercial/Industry $210.00 each UTSW Generic $175.00 each
Data collection, cryo-EM, Titan Krios, assisted setup	This is a flat fee; price does NOT include the per hour instrument usage.	Internal $275.00 each UT System/In Network $275.00 each External $550.00 each Commercial/Industry $825.00 each UTSW Generic $687.50 each
Initial data analysis and data processing, EM, assisted	From movies to 2D classification. Including motion correction (if needed) -> CTF estimate -> particle picking/selection -> 2D classification/analysis. Please note: The rates listed below are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate of $60/hour would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $255.00 each UT System/In Network $255.00 each External $510.00 each Commercial/Industry $765.00 each UTSW Generic $637.50 each
Additional data processing, EM	From 2D to 3D refinement/postprocessing. Including 2D class selection-> 3D initial model -> 3D classification/analysis -> 3D refinement -> postprocessing and analysis with FSC curves. Please note: The rates listed below are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate per user classification would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $410.00 each UT System/In Network $410.00 each External $820.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,230.00 each UTSW Generic $1,025.00 each
Advanced data processing	Final CTF refinement and particle polishing (requires Relion motion correction step). Please note: The rates listed are cumulative and are based on a straightforward SPA workflow with a homogeneous dataset. Additional charges at an hourly rate per user classification would be added for more difficult projects. Users would be notified beforehand under such circumstances.	Internal $410.00 each UT System/In Network $410.00 each External $820.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,230.00 each UTSW Generic $1,025.00 each
Manuscript preparation, EM	Includes generation of figures and tables, description of methods, manuscript text, deposition of coordinates in database (PDB and/or EMDB).	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each External $310.00 each Commercial/Industry $465.00 each UTSW Generic $387.50 each
EM specimen preparation for cryo-EM, assisted	For cryo-EM screening and data collection. Includes per hour charge for Vitrobot usage.	Internal $87.00 each UT System/In Network $87.00 each External $174.00 each Commercial/Industry $261.00 each UTSW Generic $217.50 each
EM Specimen preparation for cryo-EM, unassisted	For cryo-EM screening and data collection. This is the per hour charge for Vitrobot usage.	Internal $25.50 each UT System/In Network $25.50 each External $51.00 each Commercial/Industry $76.50 each UTSW Generic $63.75 each
EM Specimen preparation for negative staining, assisted	For screening samples prior to screening by cryo-EM data and/or data collection.	Internal $71.75 each UT System/In Network $71.75 each External $143.50 each Commercial/Industry $261.00 each UTSW Generic $179.40 each
EM Specimen preparation for negative staining, unassisted	For screening samples prior to screening by cryo-EM data and/or data collection.	Internal $10.25 each UT System/In Network $10.25 each External $20.50 each Commercial/Industry $30.75 each UTSW Generic $25.65 each
Data collection or grid screening, negative stain EM, 120kV TEM, assisted	Price includes a $50/hour instrument usage for internal users. Instrument usage costs are higher for other users.	Internal $111.50 each UT System/In Network $111.50 each External $223.00 each Commercial/Industry $334.50 each UTSW Generic $278.75 each
▼ ► Data collection and structure determination, X-ray (10)
Name	Description	Price
Crystal shipping to synchrotron via FedEx	Sample shipping both to and from synchrotron via FedEx. Prices are per sample. Service not available for commercial customers.	Internal $3.50 each UT System/In Network $3.50 each
Synchrotron Data Collection and Processing, X-ray, assisted	Assisted collection, processing and scaling of synchrotron single crystal X-ray data, per dataset. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each
SAXS sample shipping to synchrotron via FedEx	Determined after trip is finished; costs to be shared by all users during specific data collection time. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $1.00 each UT System/In Network $1.00 each
Synchrotron SAXS Data Collection	Collection in one buffer @ 3 concentrations. Service not available to commercial customers.	Internal $155.00 each UT System/In Network $155.00 each
MicroMax-003 w/ACTOR robot for crystal screening	Robotic crystal screening of frozen samples. Prices are per hour basis. Assisted usage only.	Internal $25.00 each UT System/In Network $25.00 each External $50.00 each Commercial/Industry $75.00 each UTSW Generic $62.50 each
MicroMax-003 w/XtalCheck	for in situ screening and data collection of 96-condition crystallization screen plates. Prices are per hour basis. Assisted usage only. Room temperature only.	Internal $25.00 each UT System/In Network $25.00 each External $50.00 each Commercial/Industry $75.00 each UTSW Generic $62.50 each
In-house data collection and processing, X-ray, assisted	Assisted data collection, processing and scaling of in-house single-crystal data, per dataset	Internal $51.00 each UT System/In Network $51.00 each External $102.00 each Commercial/Industry $153.00 each UTSW Generic $127.50 each
Structure determination and refinement	Project Specific.	Internal $510.00 each UT System/In Network $510.00 each External $1,020.00 each Commercial/Industry $1,530.00 each UTSW Generic $1,275.00 each
Manuscript preparation, X-ray		Internal $250.00 each UT System/In Network $250.00 each External $500.00 each Commercial/Industry $750.00 each UTSW Generic $625.00 each
Small Molecule structure determination	Includes data collection, structure determination, refinement and delivery of all data required for publication.	Inquire
▼ ► Instrument Use, X-ray (2)
Name	Description	Price
Crystallization robot (Per tray)	Trained or self use of crystallization robot; users will be charged for per plate usage, see charges under "Consumables, X-ray".	Internal $31.50 plate UT System/In Network $31.50 plate External $63.00 plate Commercial/Industry $94.50 plate UTSW Generic $78.75 each
MicroMax-003 data collection	Prices are per hour basis.	Internal $25.00 /hr UT System/In Network $25.00 /hr External $50.00 /hr Commercial/Industry $75.00 /hr UTSW Generic $62.50 each