Services

User Guide

Assisted and Non-Assisted User Sample Processing

Below is an example of the general pipeline for assisted and non-assisted users who are processing their own samples. New users can find more detailed information here. If you are submitting samples for facility staff to process for you, please refer to that section below.

• Read the user agreement. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to facility staff. Both the user and their PI must sign the User Agreement. 
• Fill out a new project form. (Visit Forms Page) This helps us to understand your sample, any prior work you’ve done on it, and what your project goals are so we can make well-informed recommendations. Please submit this form prior to scheduling a consultation. If you have questions, feel free to Contact Facility Staff or attend our office hours. 
• Meet with facility staff. Once facility staff reviews your proposed project, we’ll reach out to schedule a consultation. During our first meeting we’ll discuss the feasibility of your proposed project, recommend a starting point, and outline a realistic project trajectory. Please note that, like all research projects, cryo-EM projects require experimentation because every sample behaves differently. Our goal is to help you reach your desired outcome as efficiently and responsibly as possible. Contact Us
• Review reference materials. Once the initial steps for your project have been determined, we’ll highlight specific resources that you can use to learn about the techniques we recommend. All resources are available to view at any time here. 
• Prepare your samples. Follow guidelines created during your new project consultation. We may require additional quality control experiments, alternate buffers, concentration changes, or other modifications to ensure that your sample is suitable for the grid preparation methods used in our facility.
• Schedule your grid preparation session. Based on your initial consultation, we will recommend initial conditions for screening your samples. Users must be accompanied by facility staff during grid preparation until cleared for independent use.
• Schedule your grid screening session. Plan for a full day of grid screening. Depending on instrument availability, you may or may not be able to screen your grids the same day they are prepared. Users must be accompanied by facility staff during grid screening until cleared for independent .
• Iterate based on screening results. Using the results of your grid screening session, refine your sample preparation methods. Most projects require multiple rounds of sample preparation, grid preparation, and grid screening. This is a normal and expected occurrence because each sample behaves uniquely.
• Schedule data collection session. Once you have identified a suitable grid, it’s time to collect data. Plan for at least one full day of data collection per sample. Users must be accompanied by facility staff during data collection until cleared for independent use.
• Analyze your data. Please review our Resources for data processing to get started. If you have questions during data processing, please contact facility staff or attend our weekly office hours.

Facility Sample Processing

Please refer to our billing rates for assisted vs non-assisted hours. We highly encourage users to get trained on the necessary equipment for processing their own samples. Below is an example pipeline for users who are submitting samples for staff processing.

• Read the user agreement. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to facility staff. (link to forms page)
• Fill out a new project form. This helps us to understand your sample, any prior work you’ve done on it, and what your project goals are so we can make well-informed recommendations. Please submit this form prior to scheduling a consultation. If you have questions, feel free to contact facility staff or attend our office hours. Contact Us
• Meet with facility staff. Once facility staff reviews your proposed project, we’ll reach out to schedule a consultation. During our first meeting we’ll discuss the feasibility of your proposed project, recommend a starting point, and outline a realistic project trajectory. Please note that, like all research projects, cryo-EM projects require experimentation because every sample behaves differently. Our goal is to help you reach your desired outcome as efficiently and responsibly as possible. Contact Us
• Prepare your samples. Follow guidelines created during your new project consultation. We may require additional quality control experiments, alternate buffers, concentration changes, or other modifications to ensure that your sample is suitable for the grid preparation methods used in our facility.
• Submit your samples and accompanying grid preparation and grid screening request forms. Schedule a time with facility staff to drop off or ship your samples. Please include grid preparation and grid screening request forms based on the results of your consultation. (Forms Page)
• Submit your samples. Schedule a time with facility staff to drop off or ship your samples.

Analyze your data. Please review our resources for data processing to get started. If you have questions during data processing, please contact facility staff or attend our weekly office hours.

Rates

Your session cost varies by the number and type of grids you prepare, whether you require staff assistance, and how long you use the equipment for. An entire project cannot be quoted from the onset due to inherent unknowns regarding your sample quality, how many sample and grid prep iterations are required, and how long your data collection session will take. Our current billing rates are available here.