CryoEM/ET 101: An Engaging Online Self-Paced Course That Teaches Cryo-EM and Cryo-ET Principles
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Cryo-electron microscopy and tomography (cryo-EM and -ET) have emerged as indispensable tools to visualize high-resolution details of biological structures across a broad range of scales, from small molecules and proteins to cells and tissues. Although there is growing enthusiasm for these methods, there are barriers to starting. First, these methods require expensive equipment; second, there is a steep learning curve for newcomers to the field, especially since there are not experts available at every institution; third, there are only inadequate and dispersed learning materials for beginners. Access to equipment and expertise has been made available through the establishment of national cryo-EM and cryo-ET centers [1], which accept trainees of all experience levels and has already boosted the use of the method. To address the gap in training and the remaining limitations, we have designed a media-rich and user-friendly approach in the form of a self-paced, interactive online course that emphasizes practical training for cryo-EM and cryo-ET novices [2]. Our freely available course engages and teaches newcomers the basics of the typical cryo-EM and cryo-ET project workflows, which includes best practices in sample and grid preparation, data collection, and data processing. The highlights are animations that make complex concepts easily digestible, interactives to solidify understanding and practical videos of commonly used methods such as plunge freezing, sample insertion into instruments, and data collection. Image galleries of real examples showcase ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’, which provide real world outcomes of TEM imaging. Our course materials have been implemented by the NIH National Cryo-EM and Cryo-ET centers to support the teaching of cryo-EM/ET methods to newcomers and to augment their preparation for on-site visits. CryoEM-101 accelerates learning time and helps center staff to be more efficient by allowing them to focus on hands-on training rather than teaching basic concepts. Users can then take the methods back to their home institutions. We found that users access the materials for their own learning, for teaching in a classroom setting, as trainees newly joining cryo-EM/ET focused labs, and more. Furthermore, the course materials are used in the National Centers’ Merit Badge program, which certifies users of certain skills across national centers. Overall, the goal of our course is to guide cryo- EM and cryo-ET newcomers to a point along their training where they can independently prepare and optimize their specimens for high-quality data collection at dedicated EM centers. This resource has established a broad user base globally [3].
Source: Microscopy and Microanalysis
Authors: Peter Shen, Janet Iwasa, Julia Brasch
Institution: University of Utah
Language: English
Subfield: Structural Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4401005792