HL2026 Electron Microscopy
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent. Basic knowledge of anatomy.
Specimen handling, practical electron microscopy, theory of image formation, different modes of electron microscopy, computer exercises using dedicated software for processing EM data and 3D reconstruction, computer exercises using molecular graphics programs for interpretation and visualization.
In their cellular environment proteins and other macromolecules are highly dynamic structures that can adopt a number of conformations related to the function they have in living organisms. Cryo electron microscopy has become one of the most important methods for investigating the structure and function of proteins and macromolecular complexes close to their native functional states.
Aim: To understand how transmission electron microscopy can be used to study different types of biological specimens. High-resolution structural analysis of large molecular assemblies and two-dimensional crystals of membrane proteins will be the major targets.
Content: Image formation in a transmission electron microscope, Electron diffraction, Protection against radiation damage - electron cryo microscopy, Specimen preparation, Methods for 2-D crystallization, Data collection strategies, Analysis of experimental data - crystals, Analysis of experimental data - non-crystalline objects, Interpretation of structural models
After completion of the course you should be able to:
- Prepare specimens for electron microscopy
- Understand the principles behind image formation and data collection
- Process data in 2D and 3D
- Interpret and visualize results using molecular graphics
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