Cryogenic Electron Microscopy and Tomography

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) helps reveal the elusive mechanism of transmembrane proton transport. Cryo-EM determined the structure of a yeast vacuole Vo proton channel pump complex at 2.7 Å resolution (15 polypeptides shown in different colors), specific protein-lipid interactions, and the role of water in the dynamic process. [PDB ID: 6MOR. Roh, S. H., et al. 2020. “Cryo-EM and MD infer water-mediated proton transport and autoinhibition mechanisms of Vo complex,” Science Advances 6(41), eabb9605. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb9605.]
Collectively a suite of sample preparation techniques, 200-300 kV electron microscopes, and data analysis tools is available at DOE user facilities to address a range of imaging needs for BER-mission-relevant biological research. Cryo-EM uniquely captures dynamic ensembles of macromolecular structures as they occur in solution. Image analysis can then separate these ensembles into high-resolution snapshots that capture their compositional and conformational variance and their dynamics.
Cryo-ET is an emerging technique that can resolve subcellular structures inside cells and tissues. It can achieve nanometer-scale resolution for the entire sample and atomic-scale resolution for abundant molecular components in situ when post-tomographic data processing is added. Cryo-fluorescence light microscopy (cryo-FLM) and subsequent cryo-ET of frozen, hydrated cells can be used to label specific proteins and study cellular and molecular functions and dynamics in the 3D context of cells and tissues at a higher resolution than any other imaging techniques. Cryo-ET can also be preceded by cryogenic focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB-SEM), to produce lamellae from vitrified cells that are thin enough for cryo-ET imaging.
Key Features of Cryo-EM/ET Imaging
- Accommodates sample sizes ranging from tens of kilodaltons of biological molecules to viruses, parasites, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells and tissues.
One view of the 3D structure of vitrified yeast cells (cell membrane and wall colored yellow) determined by correlated optical and electron-based cryogenic microscopy techniques. Inside the cells are the nucleus (orange), mitochondria (purple), and other subcellular structures. [Gong-Her Wu, et al. 2020. “Multi-scale 3D Cryo-Correlative Microscopy for Vitrified Cells.” Structure, 28(11) p.1231-1237.e3. DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.07.017]
- All biological samples are embedded in vitrified ice without any chemical fixative.
- Structure resolution ranges from nanometers to ångströms.
- Cryo-EM structures of biochemically purified biomolecules and molecular machines can resolve individual atoms, water, and ions.
- Cryo-ET structures of cells can resolve organelles and subcellular components at nanometer resolution, and macromolecular structures at near-atomic resolution.
- Cryo-FLM can detect a fluorescent protein fused with a target of interest and correlate it with its cellular environment using Cryo-ET.
- Microcrystal electron diffraction (micro-ED), a cryo-EM technique, can determine the atomic structure of small molecules or proteins from nanoscale 3D crystals.
BER Researchers Use Cryo-EM/ET to Study:
- Viruses, bacteria, fungi, free-living algae, plant tissues, and cells under normal and environmentally stressed conditions
- Root hairs and mycorrhizae, which play significant roles in plant nutrient exchange
- Model soil systems with microbe-fungi interactions under different environmental conditions
- Stream sediments and colloids (including iron colloids, the basis of nutrient transport and bog iron formation)
- Natural products and metabolite structures
Sample Considerations
- Accommodates biochemically purified biomolecules with molecular weights larger than ~28 kDa under different chemical conditions.
- Cell environments in standard growth or culture conditions are preserved until the moment of plunge-freezing, which occurs on a millisecond timescale.
- Ideal samples are less than 0.4 microns thick, either naturally or thinned by cryo-FIB or ultramicrotomy.
- Samples thinner than 10 microns can be plunge-frozen, then thinned by cryo-FIB.
- Tissue samples up to 200 microns thick can be high-pressure frozen, then cryo-sectioned by ultramicrotomy and thinned by cryo-FIB.
- The standard sample support is a 3mm diameter electron microscope grid. Other types of sample supports may be accommodated.
Instruments at DOE User Facilities
Each instrument has unique characteristics. To determine the user facility and instrument best suited to your science questions, see additional information and contacts at the links below.
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Structure (LBMS) — Brookhaven National Laboratory. Provides peer-reviewed research access, support, and training for the use of both high-end and screening cryo-EM.
- Cryo-EM/ET at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Multiple DOE-funded microscopes are available. EMSL periodically issues calls for user proposals from researchers interested in using cryo-EM and other capabilities (e.g., native mass spectrometry, fluorescence). Proposals for the use of only cryo-EM/ET or micro-ED may undergo an accelerated review and access process.
- Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center — SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Multiple instruments for cryo-EM, cryo-ET, cryo-FIB-SEM, and cryo-FLM are available. Some of these facilities are accessible after a merit-based proposal evaluation by an expert panel. Training is open to global scientific investigators.
Additional Resources
- UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics (IGP) — DOE-IGP investigators have made important advances on several frontier problems in atomic structure and imaging. Leading breakthroughs have been made in: micro-electron diffraction (micro-ED), single particle cryo-EM of small proteins via scaffolding, submicron analysis of atomic structure variations in protein materials, and atomic resolution EM of proteins in aggregated/fibrillar forms.
Research Highlights
Date | Title | Resource | Technique | Facility | Research Theme |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
06/12/2023 | Visualizing an Ancient Carbon Cycle Pathway Mechanism | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
06/06/2023 | Automation and High-Throughput Screening Speeds Lipid Nanoparticle Development | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
06/30/2023 | Persistence and Mobility of Iron-Rich Colloids Facilitate Element Transport and Cycling | Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
05/05/2023 | Saprotrophic Fungus Weathers Potassium from Minerals in Carbon-Limited Environment | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
11/02/2022 | The Copper Key to More Efficient Biomass Breakdown | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
05/04/2023 | Img check | Molecular Structure | |||
03/28/2023 | Autonomous Hyperspectral Spatiochemical Imaging Delivers Faster Results and Improves Beamline Efficiency | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Solution X-ray Scattering, Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure, Chemical and Elemental Information |
01/18/2023 | Unelectrified Aerosol-Producing Device for Biological Studies | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography, Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging, X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure, Cell and Tissue Structure, Chemical and Elemental Information |
02/01/2023 | Bacterial Mercury Methylation Enhanced by Mixed Thiols | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
09/19/2022 | Viral Gene Products May Contribute to Soil Carbon Cycling | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
11/17/2022 | Direct Visualization of Fungal Mineral Transport | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
04/01/2022 | Mechanisms of Bacterial Iron Metabolism | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
04/21/2022 | Protein Design for Genetically Encodable Nanomachines | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
10/14/2022 | Modeling the Partitioning of Amphiphilic Molecules and Cosolvents in Biomembranes | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
10/01/2022 | Detergent-Free Method for Photosystem I Stabilization in Structural Studies | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Solution X-ray Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
07/05/2022 | Characteristics of Switchgrass Lignin Extracted by Different Solvent Pretreatments | Center for BioMolecular Structure | Solution X-ray Scattering | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
06/11/2021 | Evolving a Virus-Like Capsid from a Bacterial Protein | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Footprinting | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
10/08/2022 | XMIDAS Software Enables Chemical Analysis from Nanoscale Spectroscopy Data | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
08/26/2022 | RuBisCO Evolution Enabled by Structural Plasticity | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
04/07/2022 | Soft X-ray Tomography Captures Mesoscale Organelle Interactions | National Center for X-Ray Tomography | Soft X-ray Tomography | Advanced Light Source | Cell and Tissue Structure |
01/11/2022 | Biocatalyst Inspiration: Specificity and Selectivity of Rieske Oxygenases | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
03/25/2021 | Understanding How Bacteria Degrade N-Glycan | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
11/04/2021 | Potentially Customizable Molecular Assembly Line | Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
04/05/2022 | How a Soil Microbe Could Rev Up Artificial Photosynthesis | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
12/16/2021 | Aggregates Formed During Biomass Pretreatment Stem from Both Hemicellulose and Lignin | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
09/14/2021 | A Tunable Plant Pseudoenzyme-Enzyme Complex Regulates B6 Production | Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy at EMSL | Cryo-Electron Microscopy | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory | Molecular Structure |
02/22/2021 | Repurposing Cancer and Seizure Medications to Aid Fight Against COVID-19 | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
06/11/2020 | Structural Basis for Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Llama Antibodies | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
08/19/2021 | Existing Drug Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
08/03/2021 | Deconstructing the Infection Machinery of SARS-CoV-2 | Center for Structural Molecular Biology, Structural Biology Center, Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source, Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
05/12/2021 | Crystallography Confirms Drug-Protein Interaction that May Prevent Certain Breast Cancers | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
04/17/2020 | Crystal Structures of SARS-CoV-2 Yield Understanding of Viral Replication Engine | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
05/01/2021 | Structural Plasticity of the Selectivity Filter in a Nonselective Ion Channel | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
10/05/2021 | Study Sheds Light on Photosynthesis in Iron-Low Leaves | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
02/11/2021 | A Modular Approach to Designing Protein Assemblies | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
01/19/2021 | Fusion Enzymes Improve Yield of Functionalized Terpenes | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
01/06/2021 | Designing a Controllable Self-Assembling Biomaterial | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
02/03/2020 | Antibodies Elicited by Zika Vaccine Characterized | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
09/24/2019 | Revealing a MERS-CoV Vulnerability | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
10/27/2020 | Potent Antibody Against SARS-CoV-2 | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
02/02/2021 | SARS-CoV-2 Enzyme Structure Reveals Potential Inhibitors | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
05/21/2021 | Essential Enzyme in Bacterial Protein Synthesis | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
06/02/2021 | Complexation of Metals with Bacterial Methanobactins | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
03/24/2021 | Deciphering the Mechanism of Enzymatic Methane Synthesis | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
10/30/2020 | Molecular Crystals Hybridized with Hydrogel Polymers Achieve Unprecedented Material Attributes | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
01/07/2020 | Multistep Crystallization of Microbial S-Layers | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
03/23/2020 | Antibiotics with a Built-in OFF Switch | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering, Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure, Chemical and Elemental Information |
11/02/2020 | Mechanistic Insights into Cu(I) Biogenesis of Galactose Oxidase | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
09/01/2020 | Tracking Foliar Zinc Absorption in Apple Trees | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
01/01/2021 | Soil Amendments and Flooding Cycle Impact Cadmium Bioavailability in Paddy Soil | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
08/18/2020 | Visualizing Enzymes in Action | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
01/22/2020 | Efficient and Economical Strategy for Functional Metalloprotein Design | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
03/10/2020 | Introducing Positive Charges in an Artificial Enzyme Increases CO2 Hydrogenation | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
12/09/2019 | Tuning the Catalytic Bias of Hydrogenase Enzymes | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography, Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure, Chemical and Elemental Information |
03/08/2018 | Safety Concerns Over Tungsten Accumulation in Bone | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
07/08/2019 | Nanoparticle Properties Influence Nutrient Transport in Plants | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
10/17/2018 | 3.7-Billion-Year-Old Rock Structures Formed by Tectonics, Not Life | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
09/07/2018 | X-ray Nanofluorescence Tomography of Single Bacterial Cells | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
12/10/2018 | Nanoparticle Surface Chemistry Influences Journey Through Tomato Plant | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
11/07/2017 | Characterization of Elusive Yeast Protein Complex Involved in Autophagy | Center for BioMolecular Structure | Solution X-ray Scattering | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
03/24/2020 | Critical Structural Differences Between Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza | Center for BioMolecular Structure | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
03/24/2020 | Tunable Molecular Coating Stabilizes "DNA Origami" Structures | Center for BioMolecular Structure | Solution X-ray Scattering | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
01/10/2018 | Novel Architecture of a Bacterial Plasma Membrane Transporter | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
11/16/2017 | 3D Protein Structure Aids Search for Vaccine | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
08/09/2018 | Activation Mechanism of a Protein Kinase Reveals Role in Cancer Proliferation | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
10/08/2018 | Searching for New Ways to Fight Bacterial Resistance | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
06/21/2019 | Light Teaches Coenzymes New Tricks | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
05/21/2019 | Structural Basis of Bacterial Spore Germination | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
05/07/2020 | Mechanism of Activation of a Plant Metacaspase | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
04/14/2021 | Molecular Fragment Screening Identifies Potential SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
06/13/2018 | Structure of a Nuclear Membrane Gatekeeper | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
09/23/2019 | Mechanism of Regulatory Protein's Dual Role as Inhibitor and Activator | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
04/02/2013 | Major Scaffold Component in Nuclear Pore Complex | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
05/24/2012 | Modulation of Plant Hormones by GH3 Proteins | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
10/29/2013 | Common Physical Processes in Different Biomass Pretreatments | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
07/17/2013 | Lessening X-ray Damage Speeds Protein Discovery | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
02/07/2013 | Lipid Bilayer Composition Regulates Function of Lipid Rafts in Model Cell Membranes | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
12/09/2012 | Watching the Evolution of a Protein’s Function | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
08/15/2013 | Multifunctionality of an Ebola Virus Protein | Structural Biology Center, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
09/26/2014 | Understanding Nitrogen Fixation in Bacteria | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
11/10/2014 | Self-Assembling Porous Protein Cage Designed for Potential Biotech Applications | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
08/25/2015 | Modular Construction on a Biomolecular Scale | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
06/10/2015 | Archaeal Enzyme Plays Key Role in Atmospheric Carbon Turnover | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
09/08/2015 | Manganese Reduction-Oxidation Drives Plant Debris Decomposition | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging, X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Light Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
12/07/2016 | Using Soft X-ray Ptychography to Investigate a Bacterium’s Inner Compass | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Advanced Light Source | Chemical and Elemental Information | |
11/30/2016 | Crystal Structure of NOV1 Enzyme Reveals Mechanism of Action | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
11/15/2016 | Mapping the Migration of Genetic Material | National Center for X-Ray Tomography | Soft X-ray Tomography | Advanced Light Source | Cell and Tissue Structure |
09/30/2020 | Understanding an Essential Chaperone Complex | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
07/31/2020 | Targeting a Critical Molecular Switch in COVID-19 | Center for BioMolecular Structure | Solution X-ray Scattering | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
11/30/2020 | Fine Tuning Drugs to Fight Cancer | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
01/12/2016 | Cellulose Synthesis Complex | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Solution X-ray Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
12/14/2016 | Hollow Pyramid Unlocks Principles of Protein Architecture | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
12/20/2016 | Detailing the Molecular Roots of Alzheimer’s Disease | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
08/15/2016 | How Your Body Transports Zinc to Protect Your Health | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
07/20/2017 | The CRISPR Target-Recognition Mechanism | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
05/03/2018 | Dynamic Regulation of Histone Chaperone Nucleoplasmin | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
06/23/2017 | Revealing How Bacterial Organelles Assemble | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
06/26/2017 | Molecular Basis of Alternative Tyrosine Biosynthesis in Plants | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
04/12/2017 | Green Alga Genome Provides Blueprint to Advance Clean Energy, Bioproducts | National Center for X-Ray Tomography | Soft X-ray Tomography | Advanced Light Source | Cell and Tissue Structure |
10/06/2016 | Description of Hydration Water in Green Fluorescent Protein Solution | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
09/29/2017 | Precise Control of Neutron Contrast in Surfactant Micelles Provides Platform for Membrane Structure Studies | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
12/22/2016 | Neutrons Identify Oxygen Activation in LPMO enzyme | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
05/23/2017 | Using Neutrons to Resolve Plasma Membrane Organization in Live Bacteria | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
08/03/2017 | Chemical Strategy for Conversion of CO2 to Biomass | Structural Biology Center, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
11/19/2020 | Enhancing Enzyme Catalysis Through Directed Evolution | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
08/14/2020 | Phenoxy Radical-Radical Coupling in Plants | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
06/22/2017 | Archaeal Abundance on Human Skin Changes with Age | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Chemical and Elemental Information |
08/11/2017 | Hacking the Bacterial Social Network | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
06/16/2017 | Engineering Better Plant Cultivars for Iron Uptake by Modifying the Iron Deficiency Response in Arabidopsis thaliana | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
05/09/2017 | Probing S-layer Protein Structural Dynamics with SAXS | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
09/08/2017 | The Origins of Photosynthesis in a Sun-Loving Bacteria | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
08/14/2017 | X-ray Footprinting Solves Mystery of Metal-Breathing Protein | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Footprinting | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
12/05/2016 | Designing Cyclic Oligomers: Greater than the Sum of Their Parts | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source, Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
09/09/2017 | Measuring and Modeling Poplar Root Water Extraction After Drought Using Neutron Imaging | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Neutron Imaging | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Cell and Tissue Structure |
06/30/2017 | Finding New Clues to a Common Respiratory Virus | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
11/02/2017 | Arsenic Accumulation in Benthic Periphytic Biofilms | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
10/01/2016 | Crystal Clear Imaging Infrared Brings to Light Nanoscale Molecular Arrangement | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Chemical and Elemental Information |
07/10/2017 | Novel Orange Carotenoid Proteins Shed Light on Evolution of Cyanobacteria Photoprotection | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
01/11/2017 | Study Pinpoints Most Reactive Areas of Nanoscale Particles | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Chemical and Elemental Information |
01/19/2017 | A Regional Model for Uranium Redox and Mobility | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
04/07/2017 | Direct Measurement of Protein Dynamics In Vivo | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
04/18/2017 | Could This Enzyme Help Turn Biofuel Waste into Something Useful? | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |
07/11/2017 | Brown Rot Fungi Reveal a New Approach for Biomass Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
09/19/2019 | Dynamics on Cellulose Show Two Important Populations from Neutron Scattering and Simulations | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
11/15/2017 | Cyanobacterial Studies Examine Cellular Structure During Nitrogen Starvation | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
12/13/2017 | Binding of Alternative Substrates to Nitrogenase | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
01/17/2018 | "Zip Code" Mechanism for Hormone Signaling Revealed | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
01/18/2018 | Structure of a Flavoenzyme Assembly Intermediate | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
12/14/2017 | Using Plants to Immobilize and Stabilize Arsenic in the Soil | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | National Synchrotron Light Source II, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
08/30/2018 | Directed Evolution Mimics Allosteric Activation of Enzymes | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
08/21/2018 | Potent Bacteria | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
11/15/2018 | Controlled Self-Assembly of a Designed Nucleoprotein | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
02/05/2019 | Peptide Induced Lateral Segregation of Lipids in a Biomembrane | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
02/25/2019 | Breakthrough Shines Light on Disease-Fighting Protein | Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center, Structural Biology Center | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
02/18/2019 | An Efficient and Economical Strategy for the Design of Functional Metalloproteins | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
02/22/2019 | DNA Gets a Bigger Alphabet | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
03/05/2019 | Understanding Cadmium Distribution in Hyperaccumulating Plants for Efficient Phytoremediation | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Chemical and Elemental Information |
04/05/2019 | Influence of Chemically Disrupted Photosynthesis on Cyanobacterial Thylakoid Dynamics | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
04/12/2019 | What Enables the Fastest Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Reductive Carboxylase? | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
05/03/2019 | New Approach for Solving Protein Structures from Tiny Crystals | Center for BioMolecular Structure | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | National Synchrotron Light Source II | Molecular Structure |
07/10/2019 | Structuring Sweetness: What Makes Stevia 200 Times Sweeter than Sugar? | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
07/10/2019 | Structural Characterization of Chitinases from Agave tequilana | Structural Molecular Biology Resource | Solution X-ray Scattering | Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource | Molecular Structure |
11/19/2019 | How Essential Membrane Lipids Interact to Regulate Cellular Processes | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
11/29/2019 | Ammonia-Salt Solvent Promotes Cellulosic Biomass Deconstruction Under Ambient Processing Conditions | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
12/09/2019 | Research at the Advanced Photon Source Leads to New Ebola Drug | Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography | Advanced Photon Source | Molecular Structure |
08/29/2020 | How Proteins Remodel DNA in Bacteria Under Stress | National Center for X-Ray Tomography, Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering, X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography, Soft X-ray Tomography | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure, Cell and Tissue Structure |
08/13/2020 | Cell Membrane Proteins Imaged in 3D | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Structural Biology Center | X-ray Macromolecular Crystallography, X-ray Fluorescence Imaging | Advanced Photon Source, National Synchrotron Light Source II | Chemical and Elemental Information |
07/21/2020 | Role of Solvents in Efficient Biomass Deconstruction | Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering | Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure |
02/14/2020 | How Dinosaur Blood Vessels Preserve Through the Ages | Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Program | Synchrotron Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging | Advanced Light Source | Chemical and Elemental Information |
06/23/2020 | Novel Cell Membrane Model Could Be Key to Uncovering New Protein Properties | Center for BioMolecular Structure, Center for Structural Molecular Biology | Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, Solution X-ray Scattering | National Synchrotron Light Source II, Spallation Neutron Source/High Flux Isotope Reactor | Molecular Structure, Cell and Tissue Structure |
10/07/2020 | "Missing Link" in Evolutionary History of the Carbon-Fixing Protein Rubisco | Structurally Integrated Biology for the Life Sciences | Solution X-ray Scattering | Advanced Light Source | Molecular Structure |