Infrastructure provided by StuBiTEM
The StruBiTEM facility provides access to a high-end cryo-electron microscope for imaging vitrified proteins, protein complexes and other specimens at near-atomic resolution. We also maintain a dedicated screening microscope for preliminary sample characterization at room temperature. These imaging capabilities are supported by instrumentation for (semi-)automated plunge freezing of samples, as well as a GPU-compute infrastructure for data analysis.
High-resolution imaging
The StruBiTEM facility provides access to a high-end cryo-electron microscope for imaging vitrified proteins, protein complexes and other specimens at near-atomic resolution.
High-resolution imaging is enabled by a fully automated ThermoFischer Titan Krios electron microscope. This 300 kV microscope is equipped with a latest generation direct electron detector (ThermoFischer Falcon III) for sensitive imaging, an electrostatic potential phase plate (ThermoFischer Volta Phase Plate) for high-contrast imaging of specimens at low defocus values, and an optimized field emission gun for higher spectral coherence and higher brightness (ThermoFischer X-FEG).
The microscope comes equipped with an automated sample loader, automated liquid nitrogen refueling, and a dedicated control software allowing the remote acquisition of datasets 24-7 with minimal user interaction.
Sample screening
For imaging of negative stained samples we offer access to a ThermoFischer Talos L120C side-entry electron microscope operated at 120 kV. This microscope comes equipped with a high sensitivity, high frame rate CMOS camera (ThermoFischer Ceta 16M), a large capacity nitrogen dewar, and a dedicated control software allowing the remote acquisition of datasets.
This microscope is used to imag your negative stained samples, either to optimize your sample (biochemically) or to acquire a negative stain data set, e.g. to produce an initial model or to solve a scientific question.
Sample preparation
We support users both in the preparation of negative stained samples as well as in the preparation of vitrified samples. For the latter, we offer access to two (semi)automated plunge freezing devices (ThermoFischer Vitrobot Mark IV, Gatan Cryoplunge 3). Of course, we also provide access to all the auxiliary equipment required for sample preparation such as glow dischargers, drying ovens, vacuum pumps, etc.
Data analysis
Data acquired on our microscopes will automatically be pre-processed such that users have immediate and real-time access to motion-corrected and dose-weighted micrographs, as well as to all important CTF parameters. Of course, raw movie frames are also made available to platform users.
For single-particle reconstruction we can offer (limited) access to our GPU-compute infrastructure, as well as support in performing these reconstructions at the RRZK. We can also offer support for data management and archiving, although we cannot provide storage space for all users ourselves. If in need of IT support please use our slack-based help channel