Sample Visualization

Purified proteins, filaments, viruses and other large assemblies can be rapidly visualized and characterized by negative stain electron microscopy using e.g. our Talos 120 microscope. Samples are often initially imaged using negative staining EM for optimizing cryogenic single-particle and tomography specimens

We offer the visualization of vitrified cryo-samples, e.g. protein complex and lipid mixtures for sample characterization. This visualization can also be part of the screening step to assess the sample feasibility for the single-particle data acquisition on cryo-EM. The plunge-frozen sample can be shipped to the ER-C or be vitrified on site using one of our sample preparation instruments like Vitrobot^TM, VitroJet^TM, Manual or Leica^TM Plunge freezer. A small data set can be collected for initial sample characterization that may shed light on the suitability for high-resolution analysis.

Samples often need multiple rounds of initial screening until requirements for high-resolution cryo-EM are met. These optimization includes adjustments of both, sample conditions (pH, buffer, additives) and blotting conditions (grid type, blotting time, concentration, vitrification procedure).