2015/11/22 by Christopher J. Russo, Lori A. Passmore · 111 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Artificial intelligence #Biological specimen #Chemistry #Computer science #Cryo-electron microscopy #Electron #Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Liquid nitrogen #Materials science #Nanotechnology #Nuclear magnetic resonance #Optics #Physics #Resolution (logic)
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2015.11.006
published in Journal of Structural Biology 193(1), 33-44 (Elsevier BV)
openalex publication_date 2015/11/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
Electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) allows structure determination of a wide range of biological molecules and specimens. All-gold supports improve cryo-EM images by reducing radiation-induced motion and image blurring. Here we compare the mechanical and electrical properties of all-gold supports to amorphous carbon foils. Gold supports are more conductive, and have suspended foils that are not compressed by differential contraction when cooled to liquid nitrogen temperatures. These measurements show how the choice of support material and geometry can reduce specimen movement by more than an order of magnitude during low-dose imaging. We provide methods for fabrication of all-gold supports and preparation of vitrified specimens. We also analyse illumination geometry for optimal collection of high resolution, low-dose data. Together, the support structures and methods herein can improve the resolution and quality of images from any electron cryomicroscope.