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C-SPAM: an open-source time-resolved specimen vitrification device with light-activated molecules.

Alejandra Montaño Romero1, Calli Bonin1, Edward C Twomey1

  • 1Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.

Iucrj
|December 14, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) sample preparation is now faster using a new light-activated device. This innovation enables time-resolved cryo-EM (TR-cryo-EM) with millisecond resolution for studying rapid biological processes.

Keywords:
C-SPAMTR-cryo-EMmillisecond resolutionphotochemistry-coupled devicessample preparation

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Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful technique for determining molecular structures.
  • Current cryo-EM specimen preparation methods are time-consuming, limiting the study of dynamic biological processes.
  • Time-resolved cryo-EM (TR-cryo-EM) aims to capture transient molecular states but is hampered by slow sample preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, rapid sample preparation method for TR-cryo-EM.
  • To enable the study of biological processes at millisecond timescales.
  • To create an open-source, adaptable device for broad biological applications.

Main Methods:

  • Introduction of Cryo-EM sample preparation with light-activated molecules (C-SPAM), a photochemistry-coupled device.
  • Integration of light-activated molecules to trigger rapid sample vitrification.
  • Development of an open-source platform for tunable temporal resolution.

Main Results:

  • Achieved millisecond resolution in cryo-EM sample preparation.
  • Demonstrated tunable timescales for capturing short-lived molecular states.
  • Validated the C-SPAM device across diverse biological applications.

Conclusions:

  • C-SPAM significantly accelerates cryo-EM sample preparation, overcoming a major bottleneck.
  • This method enables high-resolution TR-cryo-EM studies of dynamic biological events.
  • The open-source nature of C-SPAM promotes accessibility and further innovation in structural biology.