An advanced cryoEM instrument for the University of Cambridge (360G-Wellcome-206171_Z_17_Z)

We seek support to consolidate an advanced electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) facility dedicated to structural studies of biological macromolecular assemblies. The facility would provide a revolutionary new tool to the large structural biology community in the University that would enable acquisition of critical data in support of a wide and diverse range of projects tackling fundamental problems in molecular biology relevant to human health. Currently, the named applicants primarily use X-ray crystallography to study large assemblies, but many of these samples cannot be readily crystallised. The recent development of a new generation of direct electron detectors, together with sophisticated data-processing software, has dramatically improved cryo-EM analysis, which now achieves routinely sub-nanometer resolution. Until recently, researchers in the university did not have access to cryoEM, but this has changed with the recent Wellcome Trust award to purchase a cryo-EM instrument for sample screening and intermediate resolution structure determination. We are building on this support, to develop the second phase of our strategy and seek funding for an advanced microscope capable of high resolution structure determination to complement and extend our existing instrumentations.