We chose the Phoenix crystallization robot because: It has no expensive consumables (tips) intrinsic to the machine. This was also a big item for us because we worry about being able to run the machine for more than 3 years. Would the tips for our 2008 machine be available in 2014?
It is easy to program (BIG ITEM) for different tray configurations, and various dispensing methods- even on the same tray. Right now you may not think you'll have to vary drop sizes or add additional components (ligand? detergent?) to your drops, but you probably will. It can draw from 2ml block plates. Reformatting from block plates to your trays is a pain. The nitinol tips won't break (Compared to ~$700 apiece for the incredibly breakable ceramic tips on some other machines). It has cooling blocks for your samples. This is more important than you think. It's fast. It is easily integrated into a fully automated lab system. Right now, though, our humans (including me) are cheaper than rails and robots. It's incredibly accurate, even with 30% PEG 4000 (we tested this ourselves). You can use it for other low volume dispensing applications. -- Lisa Nagy University of Alabama-Birmingham [EMAIL PROTECTED]
