Cryo-EM sample preparation and data collection

October 20, 2021 October 22, 2021

Organizer

UCEM Umeå
hussein.haggag@umu.se
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Cryo-EM sample preparation and data collection

October 20 @ 08:00 October 22 @ 17:00 CEST

The purpose of the course is to prepare and train Cryo-EM unit users in sample preparation methods, introduce users to the image data acquisition workflow, expand knowledge about cryo-EM methods among researchers and show that everyone can learn how to use cryo-EM for structure and cell biology.

The course is open for unit users or potential unit users, such as PhD students, postdocs, and researchers within the life sciences who are curious and will profit from cryo-EM skills. Swedish and international course participants are welcome. To attend, the course participants must have experience in basic electron microscopy and be familiar with structure or cell biology.

This course is supported by SciLifeLab, CryoNET and Umeå University and organized by the SciLifeLab Cryo-EM unit, both UmU and SU nodes together.

Important dates

Application should be submitted before September 17, 2021

Confirmation to accepted participants: September 22, 2021
(If you don’t receive information about your application before September 27, please contact hussein.haggag@umu.se

Course organizers

Camilla Holmlund and Michael Hall

Teachers and course instructors

  • Linda Sandblad
  • Michael Hall
  • Lars-Anders Carlson
  • Camilla Holmlund
  • Additional teachers t.b.a

Social program

A social program depending on the current corona restrictions will be communicated to the participants after acceptance.

Course fee

A course fee of 800 SEK, including coffee and lunches, will be invoiced to accepted participants after acceptance.

Course content

This course will cover practical aspects of cryo-EM sample preparation and data acquisition.

Topics covered:

  • Basic theory of vitreous water, how to handle a cryo sample and consequences
  • Plunge freezing methods, tools and cryo-transfer
  • Sample and instrument requirements for single particle and tomography methods
  • Image data acquisition, concept of low dose and the cryo-specific workflow
  • Introduction to automatic data acqui­sition software, EPU, Tomography
  • Introduction to cryo-EM image processing methods

The course consists of lectures, cryo lab work, demonstrations and practical exercises for all participants, hands-on experiences of microscopy operation and discussions. A detailed schedule will be provided to accepted participant.

Course literature

Handouts and material online.

Entry requirements

Priority will be given to researchers involved in project where the use of cryo-EM is needed, which are to be briefly described upon application.

The course will be held at an advanced level, assuming that participants have a master’s degree or equivalent in a technical life science discipline. It aims to be relevant for a broad research community, also to participants not working in research environments using cryo-EM today.

A maximum of 15 participants will be admitted. Selection criteria include correct entry requirements, motivation to attend the course as well as gender balance.

Examination 

Participation in all parts of the course, lectures, lab, microscopy demonstrations and evaluation are mandatory. SciLifeLab and Umeå University will provide successful participants with a course certificate and a recommendation for 1 ECTS

Please note that SciLifeLab training courses do not provide any formal university credits.
The course content is estimated to correspond to a certain number of credits, however the estimated credits are just guidelines.If formal credits are crucial, the student needs to confer with the home department before course application, whether the course is valid for formal credits or not.

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Last updated: 2021-07-14

Content Responsible: Maria Bäckström(maria.backstrom@scilifelab.uu.se)