Best practice: setting up and operating a mid-sized cryo-EM facility.
Xing Meng1,2, Ishara Ratnayake1,2, Martha L Escobar Galvis3
1David Van Andel Advanced Cryo-Electron Microscopy Suite, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|December 13, 2023
Summary
Establishing a mid-sized cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) facility requires careful planning, equipment selection, and IT solutions. This guide offers insights into optimizing operations, managing maintenance, and understanding the costs for high-performance single-particle cryo-EM.
Area of Science:
- Structural biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revolutionized structural biology since 2013, enabling detailed analysis of large, flexible molecular complexes.
- The demand for cryo-EM facilities has surged globally, yet access to advanced instrumentation and expertise remains a significant barrier for many researchers.
- Government agencies and institutions like the Van Andel Institute (VAI) have invested in cryo-EM centers to provide broader access and training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive blueprint for establishing a new mid-sized cryo-electron microscopy facility.
- To share practical strategies for optimizing routine operations for high performance and efficiency in single-particle cryo-EM.
- To detail essential information on planning, equipment, IT solutions, common operational issues, and long-term maintenance costs.
Main Methods:
- The study outlines key considerations for initial planning and equipment selection for a cryo-EM facility.
- It discusses the development and implementation of IT solutions to enhance data collection and analysis workflows.
- Operational challenges and maintenance requirements were tracked over a six-year period to inform cost estimations.
Main Results:
- The paper details critical factors for establishing and operating a successful mid-sized cryo-EM facility.
- It presents data on common issues and maintenance needs over six years, aiding in long-term cost projection.
- Strategies for optimizing performance and efficiency in single-particle cryo-EM are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Establishing a dedicated cryo-EM facility requires strategic planning, appropriate technology, and robust operational management.
- This blueprint offers valuable insights for institutions considering the development of their own cryo-EM core facilities.
- Understanding operational challenges and long-term costs is crucial for the sustainable success of cryo-EM services.
