ROBOLAB: An Open-Access Brazilian Facility for Automated Protein Crystallization and Structural Biology

ROBOLAB is the automated protein and protein-complex crystallization platform of the Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), located at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Established to support projects in structural biology, biotechnology and drug discovery, ROBOLAB has consolidated itself as a strategic infrastructure that provides comprehensive protein crystallization services, combining high throughput, advanced automation and specialized technical and scientific support.
A major advantage of ROBOLAB is its location within the same research campus that hosts Sirius, the Brazilian fourth-generation synchrotron light source. This close physical and scientific integration enable a seamless workflow from crystal production to X-ray diffraction data collection. Crystals obtained at ROBOLAB can be directly diffracted at MANACÁ Sirius beamline, significantly accelerating structure determination and maximizing experimental success. This unique ecosystem places ROBOLAB within an internationally competitive environment for cutting-edge structural biology research.
The platform operates under an open-access policy, offering all its services free of charge to the scientific community. ROBOLAB serves researchers from academic and research institutions in Brazil, Latin America and other regions worldwide, contributing to the democratization of access to advanced crystallization technologies. The services offered include high-throughput crystallization screening, crystal optimization and refinement, co-crystallization with ligands and support for crystal cryoprotection and freezing for X-ray diffraction experiments (Figure 1). The entire process is supported by full technical assistance and scientific consulting, from experimental design to data interpretation.

In addition to crystallization services, users may benefit from the integrated scientific facilities available at LNBio/CNPEM. Protein production of recombinant targets can be performed using the facilities of the Protein Purification Laboratory (LPP), while comprehensive sample quality control prior to crystallization can be carried out at the Spectroscopy and Calorimetry Laboratory (LEC). These facilities provide access to techniques for assessing sample purity, homogeneity, stability and biophysical properties, ensuring that only high-quality samples are advanced to crystallization trials.
Access to ROBOLAB is granted through the submission of proposals via the SAU Online system, managed by the CNPEM User’s Office. All proposals undergo technical and scientific evaluation and once approved, experiments are scheduled according to infrastructure availability. Samples may be delivered in person at CNPEM in Campinas or shipped via specialized transport. From that point onward, all experimental procedures are carried out by the ROBOLAB technical team, ensuring standardization, quality and traceability at every stage.
ROBOLAB was designed to operate in a high-throughput environment, based on automation, precision and reproducibility. Its workflow is fully integrated and robotic, bringing together multiple stages of the crystallization process within a single coordinated platform. This approach ensures experimental efficiency, reduced sample consumption and increased success rates in obtaining crystals suitable for structural studies.
The initial experimental stage consists of crystallization condition screening, performed using well-established commercial screening kits. This strategy enables the systematic evaluation of nearly 600 distinct conditions, covering a broad range of precipitants, buffers, salts and additives. Crystallization drops are set up at nanoliter volumes using the high-precision Mosquito Xtal3 liquid-handling robot (SPT Labtech), ensuring high reproducibility, significant sample savings, and reliable plate preparation. This screening stage is essential for identifying promising crystallization conditions for each protein system (Figure 2).

Once conditions of interest are identified, ROBOLAB provides full support for refinement and optimization, if necessary, which is carried out in an automated manner using the Formulator 34 (Formulatrix). This system allows rational and precise customization of crystallization conditions, enabling fine adjustments of parameters such as pH, salt concentration, precipitants and additives. This approach significantly improves crystal size, quality and reproducibility, meeting the requirements for high-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments.
After plate setup, experiments are incubated and monitored using two automated imaging systems, Rock Imager 1000 (Formulatrix), operating at 4°C and 18°C (Figure 3). Periodic image acquisition under visible and UV light enables detailed identification of protein crystals, microcrystals, salt crystals and other crystallization outcomes. All generated images are made available through the Rock Maker Web platform (Formulatrix), providing remote access and allowing real-time monitoring of crystal formation and evolution, independent of the user’s location.
Experimental data and images remain available for remote access, allowing users to monitor, select and archive information of interest. Crystallization plates are stored under controlled temperature conditions for up to two years, ensuring traceability, reproducibility and experimental security over time.

By integrating state-of-the-art infrastructure, internationally recognized equipment, specialized technical expertise and direct access to the Sirius synchrotron light source, combined with a free-access model, ROBOLAB plays a central role in strengthening structural biology in Brazil. The platform directly contributes to scientific and technological advancement by supporting high-impact research projects and expanding national and international capabilities in biomolecular structure determination.
Submit your proposal and turn your protein into a structure with the support of ROBOLAB.

Useful Links: 

SAU Online - CNPEM User’s Office - proposal submission and user access

CNPEM - Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials

ROBOLAB - Automated Protein Crystallization Laboratory at LNBio

LPP - Protein Purification Laboratory at LNBio

LEC - Spectroscopy and Calorimetry Laboratory at LNBio

MANACÁ Beamline - Macromolecular Micro and Nano Crystallography at Sirius