Update on cryo-electron microscopy and Instruct

I am writing to make sure everyone is aware of the possibilities of using Instruct for access to cryoEM facilities.

Instruct has nine sites offering cryoEM support, from hardware to software and from Israel to the Czech republic. The facilities range from Krios microscopes with detectors including Gatan K3s and K2s (after energy filters) as well as FEI Falcon IIIs, enabling both single particle analysis and tomography, to 200 kV machines and FIB milling dual beam machines. There is also a specialist centre for software support.

All of this is explained on the Instruct-ERIC website:

https://instruct-eric.eu/platform-type/electron-microscopy

Access is essentially free at the point of use following peer review, for anyone in any of the currently  13 European countries which are members of Instruct (there is a cap on the total funds for any project but this would usually cover up to 3 days of access to a high-end microscope). You can make an application at any time – if you are not already registered with Instruct you will need to register and then simply follow the on-line instructions. The criteria for access will be familiar to many of you, so instance for access to a high-end 300 kV microscope we would expect evidence such as reasonable 2D class averages. However if you go to the web site you will see that you can contact experts if you have specific technical questions.

Instruct has been offering access for some time but we are currently trialling (currently up to the end of 2019) a new cost model, which we believe will be more sustainable for critical but expansive facilities such as high end cryoEM, so now is a great time to apply, as we aim to test the new model.

Yours

Dave Stuart

Instruct-ERIC Director