Cryo EM Core Facility
Local data collection on a new Boston University cryo-EM core
We are in the process of setting up a Boston University cryo-EM core to house a Glacios-2 cryo-electron microscope with Dr. Esther Bullitt as core-Director. Drs. Christopher Akey (Advisory Committee) and Esther Bullitt will provide technical support along with the full time technician in charge of day-to-day operation of the facility, to users on sample preparation and the use of data analysis software. Renovations are almost complete on the first floor of the Center for Advanced Biochemical Research, with ~700 square feet of space located directly adjacent to the Department Structural EM facility.
A Glacios-2 cryo-TEM (200 kV) will be delivered in March 2024, equipped with a bright XFEG electron source, sample autoloader, SelectrisX energy filter, Falcon 4i DED camera and software/hardware for fringe free imaging to allow rapid single particle data collection. This instrument is capable of obtaining ~2.4Å (and better) for single particle work and collecting tomographic data on thinner specimen. The Glacios-2 will be run with both EPU and SerialEM software. The microscope will be networked to a local server with 60 Tb of temporary data storage for users and will run cryoSPARC Live software for real time data processing during movie acquisition to evaluate samples. A newly designed ThermoFisher Vitrobot Mark 5 grid plunging robot will be available in the core facility for grid preparation and the ambient relative humidity will be controlled to ~20% or lower. Older Vitrobot models will be made available to users with specific needs that may not be met by the Mark 5 instrument.
