Qiagen forms protein crystallography agreement

Qiagen has entered into an agreement for the commercialisation of protein crystallography sample technologies, the company reveals.

Through collaboration with the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG), the firm is to provide screens to analysts which have been derived from "hundreds of thousands of crystallisation experiments".

Qiagen adds that it hopes to reduce the time taken to prepare samples used in the production of crystals.

Kits produced by the manufacturer are made available for both manual applications and for use in automated laboratory equipment.

Under the new agreement, a set of 384 conditions, previously made available on a limited basis, is to be marketed as the JCSG Core Suites I-IV.

Kai te Kaat, Qiagen’s global business director of proteins, explains: "Improving initial sample preparation screens for crystallisation is a continuous effort of the crystallographic community."

Qiagen recently revealed that its offer to purchase all outstanding shares in Digene has resulted in the acquisition of over 90 per cent of the company.