Who We Are
The IKI Cryo Electron Microscopy Unit provides expertise and resources for solving macro-molecular structures. Structure determination is enabled by a high-end transmission electron microscope (TEM), (FEI Glacios).
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Glacios is a 200 kV transmission electron microscope with X-FEG and Falcon 4i detector coupled to a Selectris X energy filter for high-resolution structure determination of biological (and other soft matters) macromolecules.
Its 12-grid autoloader allows efficient loading and unloading of cryo-EM grids. The automated EPU and Tomo software systems are used for automated data collection, capable of producing >300 movies/hour, for high-resolution single particle analysis and cryo-electron tomography.
Support in short
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training for X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM and computational tools
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technical support for instrumentation and data acquisition
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assistance with experimental design and sample preparation
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access to automated crystallization and high-end EM workflows
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computing environment, initial data-analysis guidance
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structured pipelines for crystallography, single-particle and tomography
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development of user-specific acquisition and processing workflows
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documentation, guidelines and updated user resources
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regular user meetings, training sessions and workshops
Research Units
Macromolecular Crystallography Research Center
The unit aims to provide a three-dimensional structure of the protein of interest using X-ray Crystallography.
We use a fully automated protein crystallization process provided by the unit, starting from the design of the experiment and finishing with imaging of the crystallization plates under a user-defined schedule. This process saves time and material as it relies on robotics which uses tiny amounts of a sample.
We operate an X-ray generator with an image plate area detector for crystal screening and data collection. We also maintain all the computer hardware and software needed for structure determination and analysis.
For more information :
Macromolecular Crystallography Research Center
Electron Microscopy Unit
The IKI Electron Microscopy Unit provides expertise and resources for solving macromolecular structures. Our new high-end transmission electron microscope enables high-resolution structure determination of macromolecular complexes. We provide access to Thermo-Fisher Glacios, with the state-of-the-art Falcon 4i direct detection camera coupled to a Selectris X energy filter for high-contrast micrographs. All the required computational support necessary for single-particle analysis is also available for our users. Higher-order structure determination is enabled by tomographic reconstructions using the same setup. Grids sample preparation expertise and equipment (Leica EM GP) are also available.
For additional information please click here
Computational Structural Biology
Computational Structural Biology provides expertise in combining experimental and theoretical methods to study the correlation between the 3D structure and dynamics of bio-molecules and their activity and regulation. At the IKI I am working with various researchers to implement computational structural methods – such as modelling, molecular dynamics simulations or computational protein design – into their research.
Sample Preparation
- Samples for high-resolution structure determination should be as pure as possible.
- We strongly recommend size exclusion chromatography with a mono-disperse peak to assure a homogeneous preparation.
- In order to avoid aggregates, we recommend a spin-down/filtration of your sample by carefully transferring it to a new microtube.
- Sample requirement :3-4 µl of sample per grid at 0.1-1.0 mg/ml (depending on the molecular weight).
- Please fill out the attached form with a detailed description of the sample and the requested experiments/measurements.