Graphene sandwich-based biological specimen preparation for cryo-EM analysis

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Xu, Jie; Gao, Xiaoyin; Zheng, Liming; Jia, Xia; Xu, Kui; Ma, Yuwei; Wei, Xiaoding; Liu, Nan; Peng, Hailin; Wang, Hong-Wei
• 署名单位: Tsinghua University; Tsinghua University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Peking University; Peking University; Beijing Graphene Institute; Peking University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-8898
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309384121
• 发表日期: 2024-01-30
• 关键词: beam-induced motion; electron-microscopy; bayesian-approach; contrast loss; Visualization; frozen

摘要

High- quality specimen preparation plays a crucial role in cryo- electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structural analysis. In this study, we have developed a reliable and convenient technique called the graphene sandwich method for preparing cryo-EM specimens. This method involves using two layers of graphene films that enclose macromolecules on both sides, allowing for an appropriate ice thickness for cryo-EM analysis. The graphene sandwich helps to mitigate beam- induced charging effect and reduce particle motion compared to specimens prepared using the traditional method with graphene support on only one side, therefore improving the cryo-EM data quality. These advancements may open new opportunities to expand the use of graphene in the field of biological electron microscopy.