Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
08:19
Subnanometer-Resolution Structural Determination of Hemagglutinin from Cryo-Electron Tomography of Influenza Viruses
Published on: November 7, 2025
Near-atomic-resolution cryo-EM for molecular virology
Corey F Hryc1, Dong-Hua Chen, Wah Chiu
1National Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Current Opinion in Virology
|August 17, 2011
Summary
Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) now reveals near-atomic resolution virus structures. This technique illuminates viral protein functions and assembly mechanisms, advancing structural biology.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Virology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) is a key technique for determining macromolecular structures under near-physiological conditions.
- Recent advancements in cryo-EM and single-particle reconstruction have enabled near-atomic resolution studies of viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent progress in near-atomic resolution cryo-EM.
- To explore the application of cryo-EM in understanding virus assembly and morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Near-atomic resolution cryo-EM.
- Single-particle reconstruction methodologies.
- Analysis of viral capsid protein structures.
Main Results:
- Determination of several virus structures at 3.3 - 4.6 Å resolution.
- Resolution of Cα backbones and side-chain densities of viral capsid proteins.
- Identification of functional roles for protein domains and key amino acid residues.
Conclusions:
- Near-atomic resolution cryo-EM provides unprecedented insights into viral structures.
- This technique is crucial for elucidating mechanisms of virus assembly and morphogenesis.
