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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
09:49
Routine Collection of High-Resolution cryo-EM Datasets Using 200 KV Transmission Electron Microscope
Published on: March 16, 2022
Atomic resolution cryo-EM at 200 keV
Radostin Danev1, Haruaki Yanagisawa1, Keitaro Yamashita2
1Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
Iucrj
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Researchers achieved 1.24 Å atomic resolution using an upgraded 200 kV cryo-electron microscope. This cost-effective platform rivals 300 kV systems, enabling high-resolution single-particle cryo-EM.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Atomic resolution in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was first achieved six years ago.
- Previous high-resolution cryo-EM utilized 300 kV electron microscopes with specialized hardware.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the achievement of 1.24 Å atomic resolution on an upgraded 200 kV cryo-electron microscope.
- To demonstrate a cost-effective single-particle cryo-EM platform with performance comparable to more expensive systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an upgraded 200 kV electron microscope with a cold field emission gun, high-resolution objective lens polepiece, and energy filter.
- Operated the microscope at 100 kV and 200 kV.
- Employed a high-speed hybrid-pixel detector.
Main Results:
- Achieved 1.24 Å atomic resolution on the upgraded 200 kV microscope.
- Demonstrated sub-2 Å resolution at 100 kV using the high-speed detector.
- The upgraded 200 kV system offers performance comparable to 300 kV instruments.
Conclusions:
- An upgraded 200 kV cryo-EM platform can achieve atomic resolution.
- This system provides a cost-effective alternative to higher-voltage microscopes for single-particle analysis.
- Further advancements in detector technology enhance resolution capabilities.
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