Exploring the boundaries of serial electron diffraction

Serial electron diffraction (serial-ED) crystallography is an emerging structural biology method whereby data are collected from protein nanocrystals using a sub-micron-sized electron beam. The method is set to lead the future of nanocrystallography, given its cost-effectiveness and the small amount of sample required. Combining the expertise of the Colletier and Miller teams, the project will address three issues of fundamental importance to further advance the serial-ED methodology. Specifically, we will (i) test if the method can be applied to solve nano-crystalline protein structures in the cellular environment (i.e. in vivo); (ii) determine what is the smallest crystal size that can be probed by serial-ED; and (iii) offer a proof of feasibility for time-resolved serial-ED experiments on macromolecular nanocrystals. Results from our Serial-ED-boundaries project will allow to explore the boundaries of serial-ED and to develop its full promise for nano-crystallography.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dwayne Miller

Student:

Partner:

Institut de Biologie Structurale

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Pharmaceuticals; Agriculture and Food

University:

University of Toronto

Program: