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Related Concept Videos

Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

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Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

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Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
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To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
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The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
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Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

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A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Routine Collection of High-Resolution cryo-EM Datasets Using 200 KV Transmission Electron Microscope
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Trends in the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB).

Ardan Patwardhan1

  • 1European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SD, England.

Acta Crystallographica. Section D, Structural Biology
|June 6, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Technological advances like direct electron detectors are revolutionizing cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) shows rapid growth in high-resolution structures and increasing global participation.

Keywords:
EMDBElectron Microscopy Data Bankcryo-EMdirect electron detectorelectron tomographyresolution

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Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular imaging

Background:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been significantly impacted by technological advancements.
  • The Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) serves as a crucial public archive for 3D EM reconstructions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in cryo-EM data deposition in the EMDB.
  • To assess the impact of new technologies and global participation on the field.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cryo-EM data entries in the EMDB, focusing on release year, resolution, and methodology.
  • Tracking the adoption of direct electron detectors and specific software packages (e.g., RELION).
  • Mapping geographical distribution and institutional involvement in cryo-EM research.

Main Results:

  • Over 1000 cryo-EM entries were released in 2016, constituting nearly 25% of the total archive.
  • High-resolution structures (better than 6 Å) are a rapidly growing category.
  • Direct electron detector usage surged to 70% in 2016, with RELION software dominating.
  • FEI microscopes are widely used, and China is emerging as a major contributor alongside the US, Germany, and UK.
  • Tsinghua University shows significant involvement in high-resolution cryo-EM publications.

Conclusions:

  • The field of cryo-EM is experiencing rapid growth and democratization.
  • Technological innovations, particularly direct electron detectors, are accelerating progress.
  • Global participation and collaboration are increasing, broadening the reach of structural biology.