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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules
Published on: March 22, 2019
A Novel Approach to Data Collection for Difficult Structures: Data Management for Large Numbers of Crystals with the
Anastasia Mylona1, Stephen Carr2,3, Pierre Aller4
1Signalling and Transcription Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
Abstract:
The present article describes how to use the computer program BLEND to help assemble complete datasets for the solution of macromolecular structures, starting from partial or complete datasets, derived from data collection from multiple crystals. The program is demonstrated on more than two hundred X-ray diffraction datasets obtained from 50 crystals of a complex formed between the SRF transcription factor, its cognate DNA, and a peptide from the SRF cofactor MRTF-A. This structure is currently in the process of being fully solved. While full details of the structure are not yet available, the repeated application of BLEND on data from this structure, as they have become available, has made it possible to produce electron density maps clear enough to visualise the potential location of MRTF sequences.
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