High Resolution Cryo-EM: From Sample Preparation to Image Processing

ABSTRACT: Single particle cryo-EM is revolutionizing structural biology. It has been used to determine many structures of viruses and protein complexes to 2-4 Å resolutions and a few cases at sub-2 Å resolutions in recent years. To allow routine achievement of high resolution 3-D reconstructions, we have been developing methods to improve all relevant steps for cryo-EM projects from sample preparation, data collection, to image processing algorithms. In this presentation, I will present an overview of single particle cryo-EM and our recent technique advances. As near-atomic resolution 3-D reconstruction of large protein complexes with homogenous conformation is quickly becoming a routine task, we are now focusing on technical developments to solve next challenges in low abundance samples, heterogeneous states, very small (<100 kDa) or very large (>100 nm) single particle structures and tomography reconstructions.

Host: Montserrat Samso

plate with fork and knife, books, microscope and test tubes
Sponsor(s)
Medicine: Physiology and Biophysics
Speaker(s)
Wen Jiang,Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Purdue University
Audience
School of Medicine