Challenges for High Speed Cryo Electron Tomography

National Resource for Automated Molecular Microscopy
Simons Electron Microscopy Center
New York Structural Biology Center, New York NY

Cryo electron tomography (cryoET) is an enabling technique for structural studies of molecular machines either in vitro or in situ. During the last five years the performance in terms of resolution and applicability cryoET has been enormous due to the game changing technologies that transformed the application of cryoEM in general. The emergence of highly sensitive and faster detectors with electron counting capability, improved properties for prolonged and automated cryoEM data collection sessions, and optimized software and hardware for single particle analysis has resulted in mature and reasonably high throughput workflows for cryoEM. In contrast to the cryoEM workflow, existing cryoET workflows are low throughput.

We invite applications to participate in a workshop to discuss the challenges and opportunities for high speed cryoET. We will focus on understanding current workflows for cryoET, identifying the most critical bottlenecks related to quality and throughput, and proposing future work to address these bottlenecks. Aspects to be discussed will include: (i) Goniometers: eccentricity, stability, speed, repeatability, continuous tilting;Â (ii) Automation;Â (iii) Cameras: delivery and recovery speed, acquisition modes; (iii) Novel strategies: dose rate, step size; phase plates;Â (iv) Image formation of highly tilted specimens; (v) Preprocessing; (vi) Need for dedicated hardware and software.

Apply to participate at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZ6GLZT

The application deadline is 30 September and a final selection of participants will be made by 15 October. The workshop will be limited to 25 participants.