diff --git a/conf/config.example.cfg b/conf/config.example.cfg
index bd9d446..d1d5272 100644
--- a/conf/config.example.cfg
+++ b/conf/config.example.cfg
@@ -5,4 +5,3 @@ pw =
 host = localhost
 port = 3306
 db = ispybtest
-conn_inactivity = 360
diff --git a/ispyb/__init__.py b/ispyb/__init__.py
index 3073240..377498b 100644
--- a/ispyb/__init__.py
+++ b/ispyb/__init__.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ except ImportError:
   import ConfigParser as configparser
 import logging
 
-__version__ = '4.11.1'
+__version__ = '4.12.0'
 
 _log = logging.getLogger('ispyb')
 
diff --git a/ispyb/connector/mysqlsp/main.py b/ispyb/connector/mysqlsp/main.py
index f39556a..e5ba3fd 100644
--- a/ispyb/connector/mysqlsp/main.py
+++ b/ispyb/connector/mysqlsp/main.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-import datetime
+from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
+
 import os
 import sys
-import traceback
 import threading
-import time
+import traceback
 
 import ispyb.interface.connection
 import mysql.connector
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class ISPyBMySQLSPConnector(ispyb.interface.connection.IF):
 
   def __init__(self, user=None, pw=None, host='localhost', db=None, port=3306, conn_inactivity=360):
     self.lock = threading.Lock()
-    self.connect(user=user, pw=pw, host=host, db=db, port=port, conn_inactivity=conn_inactivity)
+    self.connect(user=user, pw=pw, host=host, db=db, port=port)
 
   def __enter__(self):
     if hasattr(self, 'conn') and self.conn is not None:
@@ -30,23 +30,15 @@ class ISPyBMySQLSPConnector(ispyb.interface.connection.IF):
 
   def connect(self, user=None, pw=None, host='localhost', db=None, port=3306, conn_inactivity=360):
     self.disconnect()
-    self.user = user
-    self.pw = pw
-    self.host = host
-    self.db = db
-    self.port = port
-    self.conn_inactivity = int(conn_inactivity)
 
     self.conn = mysql.connector.connect(user=user,
         password=pw,
         host=host,
         database=db,
         port=int(port))
-    if self.conn is not None:
-        self.conn.autocommit=True
-    else:
-        raise ISPyBConnectionException
-    self.last_activity_ts = time.time()
+    if not self.conn:
+      raise ISPyBConnectionException('Could not connect to database')
+    self.conn.autocommit = True
 
   def __del__(self):
     self.disconnect()
@@ -61,17 +53,13 @@ class ISPyBMySQLSPConnector(ispyb.interface.connection.IF):
     return 'ispyb.sp'
 
   def create_cursor(self, dictionary=False):
-      if time.time() - self.last_activity_ts > self.conn_inactivity:
-          # re-connect:
-          self.connect(self.user, self.pw, self.host, self.db, self.port)
-      self.last_activity_ts = time.time()
-      if self.conn is None:
-          raise ISPyBConnectionException
-
-      cursor = self.conn.cursor(dictionary=dictionary)
-      if cursor is None:
-          raise ISPyBConnectionException
-      return cursor
+    if not self.conn:
+      raise ISPyBConnectionException('Not connected to database')
+    self.conn.ping(reconnect=True)
+    cursor = self.conn.cursor(dictionary=dictionary)
+    if not cursor:
+      raise ISPyBConnectionException('Could not create database cursor')
+    return cursor
 
   def call_sp_write(self, procname, args):
     with self.lock:
diff --git a/ispyb/model/__future__.py b/ispyb/model/__future__.py
index f69d9e2..0f9367a 100644
--- a/ispyb/model/__future__.py
+++ b/ispyb/model/__future__.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import mysql.connector
 
 _db_config = None
 
-def enable(configuration_file):
+def enable(configuration_file, section='ispyb'):
   '''Enable access to features that are currently under development.'''
 
   global _db, _db_cc, _db_config
@@ -37,19 +37,46 @@ def enable(configuration_file):
   cfgparser = configparser.RawConfigParser()
   if not cfgparser.read(configuration_file):
     raise RuntimeError('Could not read from configuration file %s' % configuration_file)
-  cfgsection = dict(cfgparser.items('ispyb'))
+  cfgsection = dict(cfgparser.items(section))
   host = cfgsection.get('host')
   port = cfgsection.get('port', 3306)
-  database = cfgsection.get('database')
-  username = cfgsection.get('username')
-  password = cfgsection.get('password')
+  database = cfgsection.get('database', cfgsection.get('db'))
+  username = cfgsection.get('username', cfgsection.get('user'))
+  password = cfgsection.get('password', cfgsection.get('pw'))
 
   # Open a direct MySQL connection
   _db = mysql.connector.connect(host=host, port=port, user=username, password=password, database=database)
   _db.autocommit = True
-  _db_cc = DictionaryContextcursorFactory(_db.cursor)
   _db_config = configuration_file
 
+  class DictionaryCursorContextManager(object):
+    '''This class creates dictionary cursors for mysql.connector connections.
+       By using a context manager it is ensured that cursors are closed
+       immediately after use.
+       Cursors created with this context manager return results as a dictionary
+       and offer a .run() function, which is an alias to .execute that accepts
+       query parameters as function parameters rather than a list.
+    '''
+
+    def __enter__(cm):
+      '''Enter context. Ensure the database is alive and return a cursor
+         with an extra .run() function.'''
+      _db.ping(reconnect=True)
+      cm.cursor = _db.cursor(dictionary=True)
+
+      def flat_execute(stmt, *parameters):
+        '''Pass all given function parameters as a list to the existing
+           .execute() function.'''
+        return cm.cursor.execute(stmt, parameters)
+      setattr(cm.cursor, 'run', flat_execute)
+      return cm.cursor
+
+    def __exit__(cm, *args):
+      '''Leave context. Close cursor. Destroy reference.'''
+      cm.cursor.close()
+      cm.cursor = None
+  _db_cc = DictionaryCursorContextManager
+
   import ispyb.model.datacollection
   ispyb.model.datacollection.DataCollection.integrations = _get_linked_autoprocintegration_for_dc
   import ispyb.model.gridinfo
@@ -57,52 +84,6 @@ def enable(configuration_file):
   import ispyb.model.processingprogram
   ispyb.model.processingprogram.ProcessingProgram.reload = _get_autoprocprogram
 
-class DictionaryContextcursorFactory(object):
-  '''This class creates dictionary context manager objects for mysql.connector
-     cursors. By using a context manager it is ensured that cursors are
-     closed immediately after use.
-     Context managers created via this factory return results as a dictionary
-     by default, and offer a .run() function, which is an alias to .execute
-     that accepts query parameters as function parameters rather than a list.
-  '''
-
-  def __init__(self, cursor_factory_function):
-    '''Set up the context manager factory.'''
-
-    class ContextManager(object):
-      '''The context manager object which is actually used in the
-            with .. as ..:
-         clause.'''
-
-      def __init__(cm, parameters):
-        '''Store any constructor parameters, given as dictionary, so that they
-           can be passed to the cursor factory later.'''
-        cm.cursorparams = { 'dictionary': True }
-        cm.cursorparams.update(parameters)
-
-      def __enter__(cm):
-        '''Enter context. Instantiate and return the actual cursor using the
-           given constructor, parameters, and an extra .run() function.'''
-        cm.cursor = cursor_factory_function(**cm.cursorparams)
-
-        def flat_execute(stmt, *parameters):
-          '''Pass all given function parameters as a list to the existing
-             .execute() function.'''
-          return cm.cursor.execute(stmt, parameters)
-        setattr(cm.cursor, 'run', flat_execute)
-        return cm.cursor
-
-      def __exit__(cm, *args):
-        '''Leave context. Close cursor. Destroy reference.'''
-        cm.cursor.close()
-        cm.cursor = None
-
-    self._contextmanager_factory = ContextManager
-
-  def __call__(self, **parameters):
-    '''Creates and returns a context manager object.'''
-    return self._contextmanager_factory(parameters)
-
 def _get_gridinfo(self):
   # https://jira.diamond.ac.uk/browse/MXSW-1173
   with _db_cc() as cursor:
diff --git a/ispyb/model/integration.py b/ispyb/model/integration.py
index 16b57a2..ef33a7d 100644
--- a/ispyb/model/integration.py
+++ b/ispyb/model/integration.py
@@ -50,6 +50,12 @@ class IntegrationResult(ispyb.model.DBCache):
       self._cache_dc = self._db.get_data_collection(self.DCID)
     return self._cache_dc
 
+  @property
+  def unit_cell(self):
+    '''Returns the unit cell model'''
+    return ispyb.model.integration.UnitCell(self._data['cell_a'], self._data['cell_b'],self._data['cell_c'],
+                                            self._data['cell_alpha'], self._data['cell_beta'], self._data['cell_gamma'])
+
   @property
   def APIID(self):
     '''Returns the AutoProcIntegrationID.'''
@@ -85,3 +91,68 @@ ispyb.model.add_properties(IntegrationResult, (
     ('detector_distance', 'refinedDetectorDistance'),
     ('timestamp', 'recordTimeStamp'),
 ))
+
+class UnitCell():
+  '''An object representing the parameters of the unit cell I.e unit cell edges and angles
+  '''
+
+  def __init__(self, a, b, c, alpha, beta, gamma):
+    '''Unit cell object
+
+       :param a: Edge a
+       :param b: Edge b
+       :param c: Edge c
+       :param alpha: Angle alpha
+       :param beta: Angle beta
+       :param gamma: Angle gamma
+       :return: A unitcell object
+    '''
+    self._a = a
+    self._b = b
+    self._c = c
+    self._alpha = alpha
+    self._beta = beta
+    self._gamma = gamma
+
+   
+  @property
+  def a(self):
+    '''Returns dimension a of unit cell in Angstroms'''
+    return self._a
+
+  @property
+  def b(self):
+    '''Returns dimension b of unit cell in Angstroms'''
+    return self._b
+
+  @property
+  def c(self):
+    '''Returns dimension c of unit cell in Angstroms'''
+    return self._c
+
+  @property
+  def alpha(self):
+    '''Returns angle alpha of unit cell'''
+    return self._alpha
+
+  @property
+  def beta(self):
+    '''Returns angle beta of unit cell'''
+    return self._beta
+
+  @property
+  def gamma(self):
+    '''Returns angle gamma of unit cell'''
+    return self._gamma
+ 
+  def __str__(self):
+    '''Returns a pretty-printed object representation.'''
+    return ('\n'.join((
+      '  a         : {uc.a}',
+      '  b         : {uc.b}',
+      '  c         : {uc.c}',
+      '  alpha     : {uc.alpha}',
+      '  beta      : {uc.beta}',
+      '  gamma     : {uc.gamma}',
+    ))).format(uc=self)
+

diff --git a/ispyb/model/test_unitcell.py b/ispyb/model/test_unitcell.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e499ab4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ispyb/model/test_unitcell.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
+import ispyb.model.integration
+
+
+def test_value_in_equals_value_out():
+  uc = ispyb.model.integration.UnitCell(10,20,30,40,50,60)
+  assert uc.a == 10
+  assert uc.b == 20
+  assert uc.c == 30
+  assert uc.alpha == 40
+  assert uc.beta == 50
+  assert uc.gamma == 60
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 6f3fc3f..75a4f92 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 
 import os
 
+import ispyb
 import pytest
 
 @pytest.fixture
diff --git a/tests/test_misc.py b/tests/test_misc.py
index 07977e1..522d16f 100644
--- a/tests/test_misc.py
+++ b/tests/test_misc.py
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
 import threading
 
 import context
+import ispyb
 import ispyb.exception
+import ispyb.model.__future__
+import mysql.connector.errors
 import pytest
 
 def test_multi_threads_upsert(testconfig):
@@ -42,3 +45,45 @@ def test_retrieve_failure(testconfig):
   with ispyb.open(testconfig) as conn:
     with pytest.raises(ispyb.exception.ISPyBNoResultException):
       rs = conn.mx_acquisition.retrieve_data_collection_main(0)
+
+def test_database_reconnects_on_connection_failure(testconfig, testdb):
+  ispyb.model.__future__.enable(testconfig, section='ispyb_mysql_sp')
+
+  # Create minimal data collection and data collection group for test
+  params = testdb.mx_acquisition.get_data_collection_group_params()
+  params['parentid'] = 55168
+  dcgid = testdb.mx_acquisition.insert_data_collection_group(list(params.values()))
+  assert dcgid, "Could not create dummy data collection group"
+  params = testdb.mx_acquisition.get_data_collection_params()
+  params['parentid'] = dcgid
+  dcid = testdb.mx_acquisition.insert_data_collection(list(params.values()))
+  assert dcid, "Could not create dummy data collection"
+
+  # Test the database connections
+  # This goes from DCID to DCGID using the default connection,
+  # and looks into the GridInfo table using the __future__ connection.
+  assert bool(testdb.get_data_collection(dcid).group.gridinfo) is False
+
+  fconn = ispyb.model.__future__._db
+  iconn = testdb.conn
+
+  # Break both connections from the server side
+  c = iconn.cursor()
+  with pytest.raises(mysql.connector.errors.DatabaseError):
+    c.execute("KILL CONNECTION_ID();")
+  c.close()
+
+  c = fconn.cursor()
+  with pytest.raises(mysql.connector.errors.DatabaseError):
+    c.execute("KILL CONNECTION_ID();")
+  c.close()
+
+  # Confirm both connections are broken
+  with pytest.raises(mysql.connector.errors.OperationalError):
+    iconn.cursor()
+
+  with pytest.raises(mysql.connector.errors.OperationalError):
+    fconn.cursor()
+
+  # Test implicit reconnect
+  assert bool(testdb.get_data_collection(dcid).group.gridinfo) is False

Protection against DB connection loss
Should handle database connection loss by catching the exception and attempt reconnecting.

Should possibly 'ping' at set intervals to keep the connection alive. 
ispyb/model/test_unitcell.py::test_value_in_equals_value_out