Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM: Equipment Supplement

PROJECT SUMMARY (parent award) Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has transformed the biomedical field by enabling researchers to examine molecular biology components with unparalleled detail. In 2018, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established a national network of cryo-EM centers, including the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM (PNCC), to meet the growing demand for access and training in this groundbreaking technology. Over the past five years, PNCC, along with partner centers in New York (NCCAT) and Stanford (S2C2), have become an indispensable resource for the structural biology community. The field of cryo-EM continues to advance at a tremendous pace, driven by technological breakthroughs in instrument design, computational algorithms, and specimen preparation methods. It is expected that developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence will also play a significant role in enhancing cryo-EM workflows and automating various aspects of the process. These advancements in the field of cryo-EM are enabling researchers to study increasingly complex biological systems, capture low-abundance targets, analyze time-resolved reaction pathways, and obtain precise details of biomolecular interactions. The continued growth in cryo-EM promises to facilitate discoveries in basic sciences, biomedical research, and the pharmaceutical industry for years to come. With the rapid technological progress comes an increasing demand for access to high-end cryo-EM instrumentation and training opportunities. It is therefore essential to ensure equitable distribution of resources and training, addressing barriers to entry faced by low-resource institutions and geographically isolated research groups. Additionally, support is needed for established researchers in applying cutting-edge technologies to challenging high-value structural biology targets. The PNCC is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the cryo-EM community through effective and innovative approaches in service, training, and outreach. PNCC benefits from the partnership between Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL), both of which provide unique expertise, resources, and infrastructure. The highly experienced operational team at PNCC is adept at managing center resources, adapting to evolving developments, and training the next generation of cryo-EM practitioners. Working with its partners, PNCC will position the center at the forefront of the field, develop and implement new and efficient workflows and training programs, and engage with the community to ensure that the benefits of all advances are widely disseminated. For further democratization of cryo-EM, PNCC will target outreach toward resource-limited communities and focus on innovative, sustainable approaches to overcome barriers of access and utilization. The future holds exciting opportunities and challenges for PNCC as it continues to pursue its missions and contribute to the advancement of cryo-EM.