Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are advancing the field of cryogenic electron microscopy, or cryo-EM, by developing new methods for sample preparation that address existing challenges in the field. These innovations aim to improve the efficiency and accessibility of this powerful research tool.
Cryo-EM reveals the intricate architecture of proteins and other biomolecules, but conventional sample preparation is complex, costly and time-consuming. At present, proteins are prepared by being dissolved in water, applied to an EM grid — where most of the sample is blotted away — and then plunged into cryogen. This process can damage or denature delicate protein structures and reduce the structural heterogeneity of the sample.
“When the sample is frozen, the proteins might bunch, be damaged or lost, or not be oriented in the right way,” says Jennifer Gottwald, WARF director of licensing. “The technical challenges and high cost of sample preparation continue to be a bottleneck.”
Read the full story here: https://www.warf.org/news/uw-madison-innovations-target-bottlenecks-in-cryo-em-sample-preparation/