The ThermoFisher Tundra cryo-TEM is currently undergoing installation in SLSRC 1655. We will definitely send an update when the system is fully operational and ready for users. Shown here is the first-of-its kind sample loading station, allowing samples already frozen in vitreous ice to be loaded into the microscope at liquid nitrogen temperatures. The primary microscope function is to assist in the process of solving protein/macromolecular structures via single particle analysis. Researchers from the OU COBRE in Structural Biology team have experience collecting and analyzing SPA data for cryo-TEM projects at national cryo-EM research facilities. The Tundra will dramatically improve the ability of Oklahoma researchers to screen grids and decrease the time from identification of a system/ molecule of interest to obtaining a structure.
In addition, we anticipate the 100kV field-emission Tundra with direct electron camera will be broadly useful for many other cryo- or room-temperature applications, including imaging negatively stained biomolecules, tissue sections, particle analysis, and more.
The primary contact for users and questions in structural biology will be Dr. Len Thomas of the nearby Biomolecular Structure Core lab, which includes facilities for sample preparation / plunge freezing and single-particle analysis data processing. Users with other sample types may reach out first to SRNML’s Dr. Julian Sabisch, or we welcome general inquiries to srnml@ou.edu. While we don’t want to project a date yet when the microscope will be broadly available to researchers, we certainly hope that it is sometime fall semester 2024.
