Partners of the collaboration (from left): Thomas C. Marlovits (CSSB, UKE, DESY) Armando Estillore, Jochen Küpper, Amit Samanta (CFEL-CMI, DESY) here missing: Jiri Wald (CSSB, UKE, DESY), Kevin Janson (CFEL-CMI, DESY). (Credit: Marta Mayer, DESY)
A novel method “freeze-and-deposit” used for preparing samples for cryo-electron microscopy has been developed by the CFEL-CMI group of Jochen Küpper at DESY Photon Science. The goal of the next development phase is to accelerate the transfer of this innovative and promising technique into application. For this purpose they will collaborate with scientific partners from the Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) of the Universität Hamburg and DESY at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), as well as an industry partner. Within CSSB on the DESY campus the Universität Hamburg is operating a cryo-electron microscopy facility.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as an imaging technique to examine biological samples down to the atomic scale. Thanks to this technology and measurements at synchrotron radiation sources like PETRA III at DESY, the determination of biomolecular structures has taken a leap forward. These characterisations, for instance, play a vital role in the development of new medicines and in tracking the evolution of molecular organisms such as viruses.
However, further progress requires accelerating and optimisation of sample preparation to keep pace with the rapid developments in the field of cryo-EMs as well. So far, the standard is to place a sample on a metal grid and then freeze it at around minus 150 degrees Celsius. This is required to achieve a better atomic resolution than would be possible at room temperature. According to the group's studies, the novel approach exhibits the potential to not only significantly speed up the sample preparation process but also to enable atomic-resolution imaging of a wider range of samples and faster throughput.
The partners in this validation project will ensure that the development will also meet market requirements, such as optimal handling in laboratory settings. The Helmholtz Association (HGF) has approved 725,000 Euro from its ‘Initiative and Networking Fund’ for this project for the funding period 2023-2025.
(Partly from DESY innovation News)
