2024Liu Graphene
Citation
Liu, Nan / Wang, Hong-Wei. Graphene in cryo-EM specimen optimization. 2024. Current Opinion in Structural Biology, Vol. 86, p. 102823
Abstract
Specimen preparation is a critical but challenging step in highresolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structural analysis of macromolecules. In the past decade, graphene has gained much recognition as the supporting substrate to optimize cryo-EM specimen preparation. It improves macromolecule embedding in ice, reduces beam-induced motion, while imposing negligible background noise. Various types of graphene-coated cryo-EM grids were implemented to improve the robustness and efficiency of specimen preparation. Graphene functionalization by different means has been proved specifically useful in addressing challenges related to the air-water interface (AWI), such as preferential orientation and sample denaturation. Graphene sandwich specimen preparation sets a new direction to explore in cryo-EM analysis of biological specimens. In this review, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects of graphene application in cryo-EM analysis of macromolecules.
Keywords
Links
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959440X24000502