Beckman Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography

The Beckman Center for Cryo-Electron Microscopy provides access to state-of the art cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET) for structural investigation of macromolecules within and outside cells. The facility currently houses a 300 keV Titan Krios G3i microscope equipped with phase plate, K3 Summit Direct Detector camera and Bioquantum GIF energy filter. In the near future, it is set to incorporate a Glacios operating at 200 keV to its equipment.

For advanced sample preparation towards cryo-EM/cryo-ET, the facility has a Zeiss LSM900 laser scanning confocal light microscope with cryostage to facilitate correlative cryogenic workflows, specifically for targeted cryo-EM and cryo-ET data acquisition. Additionally, a Zeiss Crossbeam 550 (equipped with a Linkam cryostage, a Delmic Meteor in-chamber fluorescence microscope, high signal-to-noise primary and secondary electron detectors and superior electron optics) is capable of conducting volumetric scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reconstructions and thinning of biological specimens in a targeted fashion for subsequent cryo-ET.

For sample preparation, the facility has Leica EM GP and Vitrobot Mark IV cryo plungers and other accessories needed to perform sample preparation.

For cryo-ET related inquiries, please reach out to cryo-et@lists.upenn.edu.

Advanced cryo-ET services:

• Training on and access to Zeiss LSM900.
• Training on and access to Zeiss Crossbeam 550.
• Assistance with sample preparation for cryo-ET
• Assistance with and training on the Krios for cryo-ET data acquisition
• Assistance with cryo-ET data processing and post processing/analyses on a case-by-case basis.