NIEHS Cryo-EM Core Facility

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The NIEHS Cryo-EM Core provides access to advanced cryogenic electron microscopy for the NIH Intramural Research Program, supporting a wide spectrum of collaborative projects across fundamental and disease-relevant biology. In FY2025, the Core enabled structural studies addressing areas such as plant signaling, mitochondrial genetics, neurodegeneration, RNA biology, and stem cell regulation. These efforts demonstrate the breadth of scientific questions advanced through Core access and highlight the importance of cryo-EM in linking molecular architecture to biological function. The Core operates three state-of-the-art instruments: a Titan Krios for high-resolution single-particle and tomographic imaging, a Talos Arctica for specimen optimization and intermediate-resolution data collection, and an Aquilos 2 cryo-FIBSEM for in situ lamella preparation. Together, these resources provide investigators with the capability to characterize purified complexes, large assemblies, and cellular specimens in their native context. Training and knowledge transfer remain central to the Core’s mission. This year, intramural researchers across NIH received instruction in specimen preparation, microscope operation, and data analysis, while remote access and troubleshooting support further lowered barriers to adoption of cryo-EM. By combining hands-on training with collaborative support, the Core continues to expand the pool of independent users capable of applying cryo-EM methods in their own research. A defining feature of the Core is its commitment to in-house innovation that enhances both efficiency and accessibility. Ongoing development of automated specimen evaluation tools, robotic sample preparation systems, and streamlined workflows for in situ cryo-ET has been rapidly incorporated into Core operations. In FY2025, the Core also launched a major cloud-based initiative, funded through ODSS, to create a one-stop platform for cryo-EM data collection and processing. This system integrates remote microscope control with scalable GPU-based processing environments, providing secure, efficient, and widely accessible computational resources for the NIH community. By sustaining a collaborative, service-oriented infrastructure while driving in-house technological development, the Cryo-EM Core ensures that NIH researchers benefit from continuously evolving practices that keep pace with the frontiers of structural biology.