The development of cryo-EM into a mainstream structural biology technique

Abstract

Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged over the last two decades as a technique capable of studying challenging systems that otherwise defy structural characterization. Recent technical advances have resulted in a 'quantum leap' in applicability, throughput and achievable resolution that has gained this technique worldwide attention. Here I discuss some of the major historical landmarks in the development of the cryo-EM field, ultimately leading to its present success.

Figure 1

Increase in the number of EM map depositions in the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (http://emdatabank.org/) over the last six years. Asterisk indicates that data for 2015 are incomplete (through 14 October). The most notable growth is in the number of structures at better than 4-Å resolution in the last two years. (Courtesy of C. Lawson.)

Figure 2

Timeline of key contributions to the field of 3D electron microscopy highlighted in this Commentary.