ROBOLAB – Open-Acces Automated Platform for Protein Crystallizantion Experiments at LNBio/CNPEM

ROBOLAB is the automated protein crystallization facility hosted at the Brazilian National Biosciences Laboratory (LNBio/CNPEM). It offers a fully integrated robotic workflow for protein crystallization, including pipetting of different crystallization matrices, drop dispensing in sitting-drop microplates, incubation and periodic imaging, all performed through advanced automated systems. A key aspect of ROBOLAB is its open-access policy: all services are provided free of charge to the scientific community, supporting academic and institutional research not only across Brazil but also throughout Latin America. Researchers interested in accessing the facility must submit a proposal online through CNPEM’s User Support Service (SAU), available at sauonline.cnpem.br. Each submission undergoes technical and scientific evaluation. Once approved, the experiment is scheduled, and the sample is delivered either in person or by shipment. From that point on, all experimental procedures are handled by the ROBOLAB team, including sample quality control, automated plate setup to test almost 600 different crystallization conditions and scheduled image acquisition. All crystallization experiments are recorded and monitored using a high-resolution imaging system and the results are made available through a remote-access platform, allowing users to track crystal formation in real time. In addition to initial screening, ROBOLAB also supports optimization experiments through automated pipetting. By combining advanced infrastructure, expert support and a no-cost access model, ROBOLAB serves as a national hub for advancing structural biology and structure-based drug discovery in Brazil.

LNBio is part of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), a private, non-profit, research and development institution, supervised and maintained by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).