EasyGrid: a versatile platform for automated cryo-EM sample preparation and quality control
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Optimized sample preparation is essential for imaging biological macromolecules in their native state using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) or in situ cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Here we present EasyGrid, a modular, automated platform designed to streamline and standardize cryo-EM/ET sample preparation. EasyGrid integrates in-line plasma treatment of the sample support, microfluidic dispensing, blot-less sample spreading, jet-based vitrification and grid quality control via light interferometry. We demonstrate its effectiveness by preparing grids for multiple purified macromolecular complexes and resolving their structures with cryo-EM. Additionally, EasyGrid achieves improved vitrification of large mammalian cells compared to conventional plunge-freezing. By enabling systematic and high-throughput optimization, EasyGrid provides a robust and time-saving solution for both structural and cellular cryo-EM applications.
Source: Nature Methods
Authors: Olivier Gemin, Victor Armijo, Léa Lecomte, Michael Hons, Thibault Deckers, Caroline Bissardon, Christopher Rossi, Kévin Lauzier, Robert Janocha, Franck Felisaz, Jérémy Sinoir, Romain Linares, Anastasiia Babenko, Kirill Kovalev, Irina Prokhorova, Iskander Khusainov, Claudia Schreiner, Olga Kolesnikova, Veijo T. Salo, Sarah Schneider, Matthew W. Bowler, Georg Wolff, Wojciech P. Galej, Julia Mahamid, Christoph W. Müller, Kristina Djinovic Carugo, Sebastian Eustermann, Simone Mattei, Florent Cipriani, Gergely Papp
Language: English
Subfield: Structural Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Awards: Reconstructing the 4D space of intracellular lipid phase separation and lipid droplet biogenesis, From fragments to high affinity binders interfacing integrated structural biology, medicinal chemistry and artificial intelligence, Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists, G434337789, Infrastructure for transnational access and discovery in structural biology, G7358480839, Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists, Next generation imaging technologies to probe structure and function of biological specimen across scales in their natural context
OpenAlex ID: W4391044987