Automated cryo-electron microscopy

Cryo-electron microscopy is widely viewed as a uniquely powerful method for the study of membrane proteins and large macromolecular complexes - subjects that are viewed as extremely challenging or impossible to study using x-ray or NMR methods. Although the methodology of molecular microscopy has enormous potential, it is time consuming and labor intensive. Our group has done extensive work to automate image acquisition and processing for cryo-EM. In this paper we will provide an overview of our automated system, called Leginon, and present results where we used tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a proof of concept.