Table 3. Starting a new crystallization project requires different information from trying to replicate a published crystallization condition.

Generally replication of previously published work is to allow for more systematic studies on the system, such as small-molecule binding studies. In this case, information about the ease of obtaining, growing and handing the crystals is paramount. For investigators starting a new project, the relevant information would be what are the most successful commercial screens, and how many drops are required for a ‘normal’ screening and optimization. Ideally, the mandatory information required to describe a crystallization experiment should be described very clearly, for example as has been done for SAX data (Jacques et al., 2012 ▶).

Replication	New project guide
Construct details	What tags are used
Expression system	Cleave off tag before crystallization
Purification steps	How many screening drops to try
Yield of protein	What drop sizes/ratios to try
Can the protein be frozen?	What experimental setups to use
Additives/treatment required for crystallization	What screens to use
Optimized crystallization condition	How long to wait for a hit
Range of the optimized condition	What a starting hit looks like
Reliability of crystal growth	What optimization strategies work
Robustness of crystals	How much optimization to attempt
Reliability of good diffraction