Approaches to Using the Chameleon: Robust, Automated, Fast-Plunge cryoEM Specimen Preparation
Name
fmolb-09-903148.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
3.88 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
4db4ef18e9199f1892c52f99e6d6ba60
Author(s)
Levitz, Talya S
Weckener, Miriam
Fong, Ivan
Naismith, James H
Drennan, Catherine L
Brignole, Edward J
Clare, Daniel K
Darrow, Michele C
Date Issued
2022
Journal
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Citation
Levitz, Talya S, Weckener, Miriam, Fong, Ivan, Naismith, James H, Drennan, Catherine L et al. 2022. "Approaches to Using the Chameleon: Robust, Automated, Fast-Plunge cryoEM Specimen Preparation." Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 9.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
The specimen preparation process is a key determinant in the success of any cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) structural study and until recently had remained largely unchanged from the initial designs of Jacques Dubochet and others in the 1980s. The process has transformed structural biology, but it is largely manual and can require extensive optimisation for each protein sample. The chameleon instrument with its self-wicking grids and fast-plunge freezing represents a shift towards a robust, automated, and highly controllable future for specimen preparation. However, these new technologies require new workflows and an understanding of their limitations and strengths. As early adopters of the chameleon technology, we report on our experiences and lessons learned through case studies. We use these to make recommendations for the benefit of future users of the chameleon system and the field of cryoEM specimen preparation generally.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemistry
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3389/FMOLB.2022.903148
