Cryogenics has made its way from science-fiction to science fact. Today, this freezing technology is not just used for cold storage. You may have also heard of cryotherapy. But did you know that cryogenics are used in imaging?
Cryogenic electron microscopy, or cryo-EM, empowers scientists to freeze even the tiniest biological molecules in place. This way, they can be captured at the near-atomic level, and their interactions with other molecules can be picked apart in precise detail. In recent years, numerous Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) researchers have incorporated this Nobel Prize-winning technology into their work. The lab has also become the premier destination for scientists who want to learn how to use it.
Since 2018, CSHL’s Meetings & Courses Program has hosted a two-week class on cryo-EM. Here, students get access to state-of-the-art equipment as well as hands-on training and lectures from the field’s leading experts. Press play to zoom in.
Read the related story: Up close and personal with cryo-EM