About Cryo-EM

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) are powerful methods for revealing the structural components of the living world utilizing electron microscopes and electron detectors that enable researchers to see beyond the reach of traditional light and confocal microscopy. By mapping the structure of molecules and how they interact with each other, we hope to understand their function in larger biological systems. Applications of cryo-EM have led to impactful discoveries in understanding disease, cellular function, virology, drug discovery and more.

The cryo-EM facility at UC San Diego is dedicated to providing the tools and expertise necessary to facilitate the study of cellular and macromolecular structures through use of single-particle and tomographic techniques.

Our mission is to provide the UCSD community access to high-end state of the art instrumentation, to maximize the scientific impact of this instrumentation, and to foster the development of a robust cryo-EM community.