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Yes :) It's a common issue that requires a modicum of planning and dexterity to overcome: * cutting is done under a macroscope - it's much easier to see what you're doing * firm pressure on the plate (with one hand grasping the sides) is key to success * firm downward pressure of the scalpel/razor is also very important The typical steps are: 1. prepare a piece of suitable sticky tape to cover the hole once you're done. Get all the tools, loops, solutions, etc. ready 2. place the tray under a macroscope and focus on the tape, not on crystals 3. hold the tray in one hand, firmly - cut the film with a very sharp scalpel or a fresh safety razor blade (hold the tool with fingers as close to the blade as you dare). Make the first three cuts inside the well, on the three sides that are not adjacent to the crystal wells. Use the well edges as guides - this lets you cut w/o disturbing nearby wells 4. there are two techniques for the final cut: a) using tweesers gently lift the tape from the well, using the uncut sude as lid hinge. Secure the 'lid' to the rest of the plate (bent out) using a piece of sticky tape. b) under a macroscope, cut the fourth side through the film ON TOP of the wall - this can be done very cleanly after a few practice runs. The resulting square of tape should be easy to remove. If you're really good with the scalpel, you can cut all four sides this way, thus completely avoiding the possibility of dropping the film into the well. 5. do stuff with your crystals 6. seal the open well with a piece of suitable film. Note - even though it's sealed, the drops will evaporate very quickly (couple of hours) so don't count on coming back to this well later. Hopefully this helps you. Artem --- When the Weasel comes to give New Year's greetings to the Chickens no good intentions are in his mind. -----Original Message----- From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew Alan Bratkowski Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 4:05 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [ccp4bb] [ccp4b] Removing Crystals from Automated Sitting Drop Trays Hi. I was wondering if anyone had advice about removing crystals from 96 well, 3 drop sitting drop trays used for automated crystal screening. Recently, I was trying to remove crystals from an Intelli-plate designed by Art Robbins Instruments, which has three small drop wells next to a reservoir. I found it difficult to cut the tape covering the drop of interest without also cutting the tape covering the subsequent drops. The reservoir was a bit full, and once I cut the tape covering the drop of interest, reservoir solution flooded the crystal drop as well as the other two which I had meant to remain undisturbed. I did get the crystals out, but doing so disrupted the tray quite a bit, and I may have compromised the integrity of other conditions in the tray. Does anyone have any tips for removing crystals from a 96 well, three drop tray that is less disruptive to the tray? Thanks, Matt