Beckman Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Getting started

Please contact us if you have a sample for screening or data collection on the Titan Krios and/or Glacios 2 (coming soon!) by emailing cryo-EM@lists.upenn.edu.

Include a sample submission Form along with your request. Internal users: submit your request only after your grids are clipped and dropped off at Singh Center. External users with access to the facility are required to do the same. To request data collection services, send this form along with your email. Hands-off (e.g., lipid nanoparticle imaging): LNP imaging submission form. Completed forms are required to secure a slot on Krios and Glacios.

Read our policies for Krios and Glacios here

Cryo-EM Screening

We provide both Cryo-EM Screening sessions of 3-4 hrs (~4-6 grids can be screened during this time period). The slots will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Users wishing to submit grids for screening should get in line by emailing cryo-em@lists.upenn.edu and expect a wait time of 1-2 weeks (this may change based on demand).

High-Res Data collection

We provide 12-24 hour sessions for high-res data collection of pre-screened Cryo-EM grids. Sessions longer than 24 hours will be accommodated based on availability.

Rates

CURRENT RATES FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION CRYO-ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Krios and Glacios time: Internal ($ 60/hr); External Academic ($97.80/hr); External Corporate ($ 120/hr)
Staff time on the microscope: Internal ($ 60); External Academic ($ 97.80); External Corporate ($ 120)
C-Clip: Internal ($ 19); External Academic ($ 31); External Corporate ($ 38)
Autogrid box: Internal ($ 13); External Academic ($ 21.2); External Corporate ($ 26)
Vitrobot: Internal ($ 40/hr); External Academic ($ 65); External Corporate ($80)

Staff members can help with the following (based on availability):

Freezing on the Vitrobot: Internal ($ 100/hr); External Academic ($ 163/hr); External Corporate ($ 200/hr).

Up to 8 grids will be prepared in one hour.

Grid clipping: Internal ($ 100/hr); External Academic ($ 163/hr); External Corporate ($ 200/hr).

Up to 8 grids will be clipped in one hour.

iLab Setup

After you fill out the consultation form, the next step is to set up your iLab account to access services. Learn more about iLab setup.

Training packages

Anyone interested, especially frequent users, can receive hands-on training from the Beckman Cryo-EM Center staff. We have the following training packages available for users.

Grid clipping, screening and data collection are all individual packages and does not necessarily be requested together.

Internal:

Screening: $ 480 (3 training sessions of 2hrs; does not include the microscope time)
Grid clipping: $ 600 (3 training sessions of 2hrs)
Data collection: $ 720 (4 training sessions of 3hrs; does not include the microscope time)

External Academic:

Screening: $ 782.40 (3 training sessions of 2hrs; does not include the microscope time)
Grid clipping: $ 978.00 (3 training sessions of 2hrs)
Data collection: $ 1,173.60 (4 training sessions of 3hrs; does not include the microscope time)

External Corporate:

Screening: $ 960 (3 training sessions of 2hrs; does not include the microscope time)
Grid clipping: $ 1,200.00 (3 training sessions of 2hrs)
Data collection: $ 1,440.00 (4 training sessions of 3hrs; does not include the microscope time)

Hands-off packages for Imaging services (eg. Lipid nanoparticle imaging)

Users can also request for hand-off service where the staff members will freeze, clip and image samples for user. Preparation and imaging of 4 or less samples can be requested at a time.

Internal: $ 700.00
External Academic: $ 1,141.00
External Corporate: $ 1,400 .00

Samples requiring repetitions will be billed at an hourly rate per sample

As a reminder, the Beckman Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy is designated as a BSL-1 facility. If your project requires BSL-2, please contact the CEMAC committee for further discussion.