3D-EM Core Facility

Single particle cryo-EM enables 3D reconstruction of individual proteins and biological complexes through collection of micrographs of purified sample, followed by 2D class averaging, and 3D reconstruction.

Negative staining is a procedure which embeds small biological proteins such as proteins, protein complexes, or nanoparticles on a TEM grid in a thin film of heavy metal salts (i.e. uranyl salts) to enhance contrast and reveal their structural details. Unlike cryo-TEM, this process is carried out at room temperature.

Electron tomography enables visualization of proteins and organelles in situ; within the cell without isolation and purification. This method can be used under cryo conditions for cells, or at room temperature to look at fibers or other non-symmetrical particles.

Volume imaging electron microscopy, also called slice-and-view, reveals the 3D ultrastructure of cells and tissues through continuous depths of at least 1 micrometer. Volume imaging generates a series of images of the specimen, that, when combined, form a digital representation of the specimen volume.