CryoEM is particularly useful for objects that are too large, unstable, or variable to be studied by X-ray crystallography or NMR. It can be used to understand the structure, assembly, and function of various biological macromolecule complexes. The cryoEM data can be used with image processing software to make 3D-models. Training in three-dimensional image reconstruction is given through fortnightly to monthly visits for data processing. Cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) is a unique national service.
CryoEM services are part of Instruct-ERIC Centre Finland and can be accessed through Instruct-ERIC (Instruct Centre Finland/CryoEM home page). See funding possibilities for Instruct-ERIC access.
CryoEM is applicable for projects in e.g. structural biology, nanotechnology, time-resolved assembly and phase transitions. Depending on the approach used, nanoscale resolution can be achieved.
Leica vitrification robot EM GP
Cryosol Vitrojet
Linkam-Zeiss correlative fluorescence light microscopy for vitrified specimens.
FEI TALOS Artica transmission electron microscope equipped with a Falcon III direct electron detector camera and FEI phase plate.
Instructions how to start a new project:
Instruct-ERIC access
Finland is member of Instruct-ERIC that provides open access to research infrastructure in structural biology. Helsinki cryoEM services is one of the service providers.
Services are available to academic and industry researchers from all countries, but researchers from member countries can apply for funding. The funding can be applied for instrument use, consumables, travel and accommodation. For more information about Instruct-ERIC, please see Instruct-ERIC webpages.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Please notice that by using cryoEM service academic customers commit to acknowledge the unit in their publications or theses. Please remember to add following sentences in your publication. We highly appreciate it.
"We thank Behnam Lak and Kiran Ahmad (University of Helsinki) for technical assistance in cryoEM. The facilities and expertise of the HiLIFE CryoEM unit at the University of Helsinki, a member of Instruct-ERIC Centre Finland, FINStruct, and Biocenter Finland are gratefully acknowledged."
CryoEM services offers full-service and self-service options for CryoEM work. Full-service option covers both sample preparation and imaging. Self-service customers will submit ready-made grids to our facility and imaging will be taken care of by our staff. Prices for both categories are given below.
All prices are VAT-exclusive. Standard rate of VAT is 24%. This price list is only for academic users. Prices for commercial customers are available on request.
Billing is three times a year.
Including Sample preparation and data collection as service.
Preparation of cryoEM sample by Leica plunge freezing technique on copper grids* 95 €
* Includes all consumables for three technical repeat grids using standard quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu grids. Other grid types such as lacey holey carbon film, quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu with an ultrathin Carbon layer available on request
Preparation of cryoEM sample by Leica plunge freezing technique and gold grids** 140 €
**Includes all consumables for three technical repeat grids using standard UltrAuFoil R2/2 200 mesh Au grids. Other grid types such as Au-flat 1.2/1.3 300 mesh Au and Quantifoil R2/2 Cu 300 mesh coated with graphene oxide available on request
Preparation of cryoEM sample by Vitrojet blotfree freezing technique on Cu grids* 130 €
* Includes all consumables for 4 grids using standard quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu grids. Other grid types such as lacey holey carbon film, quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu with an ultrathin Carbon layer available on request
Preparation of cryoEM sample by Vitrojet blotfree freezing technique on Au grids** 185 €
**Includes all consumables for 4 grids using standard UltrAuFoil R2/2 200 mesh Au grids. Other grid types such as Au-flat 1.2/1.3 300 mesh Au and Quantifoil R2/2 Cu 300 mesh coated with graphene oxide available on request
Quick-check: 220 €/sample
Large scale data collection for cryo-sample
24h, 1000 €. Data set of the sample is typically 500 - 1000 images.
72h, 2700 €. Data set of the sample is typically 1000 - 3000 images.
*Price includes: Instrument time (Talos Arctica), operator and consumables. Sample preparation is not included.
* Sample preparation and related consumables are not included.
Quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu grids. 10 €/each
Lacey holey carbon film (subject to availability) 10 €/each
Quantifoil R1.2/1.3 300 mesh Cu with an ultrathin Carbon layer 10 €/each
Quantifoil R2/2 Cu 300 mesh coated with graphene oxide 25 €/each
UltrAuFoil R2/2 200 mesh Au grids. 15 €/each
Au-flat 1.2/1.3 300 mesh Au 25 €/each
Autogrid container 12 €/each
Autogrid (C-clip ring and c-clip) 16 €/each
For eligible customers only. Customer submit cryo grids, no sample preparation service included.
Clipping station per 30 min 5€
Purchase of grids and grid containers is customer’s responsibility. If the grid containersupplied by the customer is not suitable for autogrids, grids will not be saved after data collection.
Storage and book keeping of cryogrids is the customer’s responsibility. Sample sheet needs to be filled in for all samples/grids that are stored in CryoEM facilities or submitted to CryoEM service for imaging.
Cryo electron tomography
In tomography techique the specimen is tilted in the microscope to produce image series. Each image of the series is from same location and the images provide different orientations of the particles.
Special notes
Recent publications
2023
2022
Kelly JJ, Tranter D, Pardon E, Chi G, Kramer H, Happonen L, Knee KM, Janz JM, Steyaert J, Bulawa C, Paavilainen VO, Huiskonen JT, Yue WW. (2022) Snapshots of actin and tubulin folding inside the TRiC chaperonin. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2022 Apr 21. doi: 10.1038/s41594-022-00755-1.
2021
2020
2019
Sah-Teli SK, Hynönen MJ, Schmitz W, Geraets JA, Seitsonen J, Pedersen JS, Butcher SJ, Wierenga RK, Venkatesan R. (2019) Complementary substrate specificity and distinct quaternary assembly of the Escherichia coli aerobic and anaerobic β-oxidation trifunctional enzyme complexes. Biochem J. 2019 Jul 15;476(13):1975-1994. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20190314. PMID: 31235482
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