A cost-effective 200 kV cryo-EM core facility for high resolution single particle analysis.

Area of Science:

• Structural Biology
• Biophysics
• Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Background:

• Establishing advanced research infrastructure is crucial for scientific advancement.
• Core facilities enhance access to cutting-edge technologies for a broader research community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a sustainable 200 kV cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) core facility.
• To provide high-resolution single particle analysis capabilities to the Northern Rocky Mountain region.

Main Methods:

• Installation of a 200 kV Talos Arctica with a Gatan K3 camera and supporting computational resources.
• Establishment of a university core facility model for shared access.
• Inclusion of a T-12 Spirit microscope for negative stain electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Routine achievement of better than 3 Å resolution for low symmetry particles (>100 kDa).
• Resolution surpassing 2 Å for several high symmetry structures.
• Service provision to academic and industrial users regionally and beyond.

Conclusions:

• 200 kV cryo-EM microscopes are highly effective for single particle analysis at smaller research institutions.
• These instruments offer capabilities comparable to more expensive 300 kV systems.
• Implementing 200 kV facilities provides a cost-effective solution for sustainable core operations.