Overview
The DNA project is a collaboration initially between the ESRF,
the CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory
and MRC-LMB
in Cambridge, with the aim of completely automating the collection and processing
of X-Ray protein crystallography data. Travel funds for encouraging this collaboration
are provided by the ec MAX_INF project (see www.ccp4.ac.uk/maxinf).
The version 1.0.0 of DNA was released on the
1st of December 2004. There is a (slightly old) project description written
by Andrew Leslie available here.
The DNA system contains a number of modules, where each module is specialised
in a particular task:

- The Beamline Control Module, BCM, is responsible for collecting
reference images and complete data sets. At the ESRF, the program ProDC
is the BCM for DNA, and at Daresbury Laboratory the BCM is the program pxgen++.
- The Data Processing Module, DPM, is responsible for analysing
the reference images, determining a data collection strategy and integrating
the collected data. The data processing package MOSFLM
is used as the DPM for the DNA system. In the short future the programs XDS
and BEST will be used in parallel with MOSFLM as DPMs for DNA.
- The DPM is piloted by the Scheduler. The role of the Scheduler is
to manage several DPM processes running in parallel and also run CCP4 programs
necessary for postprocessing of data integrated by MOSFLM (MTZSORT, SCALA,
TRUNCATE etc.) The Scheduler uses a Data Processing Expert System for
taking decisions about screening priorities and data collection strategies.
The Scheduler also uses the DiffractionImage module for analysing images.
- The BCM and the Scheduler are controlled by the Executive System,
ES. The role of the ES is to supervise both data collection and data
processing in parallel. The ES executes the decisions taken by the Scheduler.
The DNA 1.0.0 flow diagram shows in
detail how the DNA system works today.
More detail on the different packages within the DNA project will shortly be
available here. Information on how to
run the DNA system will also soon be added (here's
a page describing the various configuration parameters.)
Although the core DNA team is rather small, we are open to including more collaborators,
and to ensuring compatibility between the DNA project and other projects with
a similar aim.