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ERIC Number: EJ1445343
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: N/A
Structures Frozen in Time: Application of Basic Cryogenic Electron Microscopy in an Undergraduate Lab
Ronald Soong; Lindsey Fiddes; Jacob Pellizzari; Katelyn Downey; Monica Bastawrous; Antonio Adamo; Andre Simpson; Vivienne Luk
Journal of Chemical Education, v100 n11 p4423-4429 2023
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful technique capable of characterizing large protein complexes that are otherwise impossible to characterize using traditional crystallography methods. Cryo-EM has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the structure--function relationship of the spike proteins on the COVID-19 viral capsule, allowing for the rapid development of therapeutics and vaccines in our quest to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The relevance of cryo-EM to this global event advocates for its incorporation into undergraduate chemistry curricula. In fact, highlighting the importance and applicability of a technique to students allows for a better retention of knowledge. Therefore, in this laboratory exercise, we introduce the concepts and application of cryo-EM as a structural characterization tool in an upper-year undergraduate class. Furthermore, with the aid of three-dimensional (3D) printing, the concepts of tomography are introduced, allowing students to understand the construction of a 3D model from a collection of 2D images through cryo-EM. According to student responses, this lab module was well-received, and the 3D-printed model indeed added to their learning experience. While cryo-EM is a specialized technique that may not be available to some educational institutions, those with access should consider its incorporation into their curriculum, thereby exposing students to a breadth of structural characterization techniques that broaden their learning experience.
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A