Cryo-EM
Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) methods allow researchers preserve samples in frozen form and observe the frozen samples in electron microscope. Samples trapped in vitreous ice and imaged at liquid nitrogen temperature, provide data for 3-dimensional reconstruction of biological structures close to their native state. Isolated protein molecules or other small samples can be frozen in solution for single particle reconstruction. Thin sections of frozen cells or tissues are commonly used for electron tomography reconstruction.
Contact
Carl Fluck, PhD
Cryo-EM Core Facility Manager
Email: ecf4001@med.cornell.edu
Telephone: 646 962 7053
Laboratory space in room E-0035.
200kV Glacios electron microscope in room E-0002
Website in progress
Current status
The Glacios microscope is fully operational. The new Falcon 4i camera with Selectris energy filter has been successfully installed.
Cryo-EM preparation devices are available to use:
Glacios 200kV microscope with Falcon 4i camera and Selectris energy filter
Ted-Pella plasma cleaner for grid surface preparation
FEI Vitrobot grid plunger for sample freezing
Carbon evaporator and Jeol 1400 120kV LaB6 microscope at the Histology-EM Core Facility
Other preparative equipment and electron microscopes are available at the NYSBC. WCM is a full member of this consortium and access for WCM affiliated projects is regulated.
Scientific Computation Unit provides CPU and GPU clusters for 3-Dimensional EM project
New York Structural Biology Simons Electron Microscopy Center provides additional Cryo Electron Microscopy resources to the Weill Cornell Medical College researchers. There are plunge freezers for freezing samples on EM grids as well as high pressure freezers for freezing larger samples for cryo sectioning. Currently there are three FEI Krios microscopes equipped with direct electron detectors in addition to screening microscopes. These microscopes are controlled by Leginon software for automated single particle reconstruction as well as tomography data collection. NYSBC staff provides training for the use of the equipment.
Our institute has allocated time slots for the equipment use which we divide among interested research laboratories. Please contact us to request NYSBC microscope time.
Training
Cryo-EM Core Facility provides training for independent use of the on site equipment.
Cryo-EM Core Facility will conduct workshops and seminars for methods development.
Users are welcome to borrow EM books from the Cryo-EM Core Facility Library.
We will maintain a Linux computer to test software and data in collaboration with Scientific Computation Unit. You are welcome to bring your own EM data to discuss.
In addition, users are encouraged to discuss their projects before starting their experiments to devise customized protocols and then modify them based on their experimental results.
Regulations
Every user needs a training/refresher session before using the core facility equipment for the first time.
Every user needs to book equipment before every use.
Every user can utilize the equipment and core facility laboratory space for their EM preparations and experiments provided they take good care of equipment, leave common use areas clean and respect other users’ rights.
Equipment time at the NYSBC will be assigned by project/laboratory basis.