WVXU: UC scientists are deep-freezing molecules. Here’s why they’re so excited about it – University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is making a significant commitment of funds and resources to establish the latest innovation in microscopy as the focal point of the Center for Advanced Structural Biology in the College of Medicine. The project will be built out in three phases over the next five years. WVXU covered the story by interviewing Desiree Benefield, PhD, the lab manager and researcher Rhett Kovall, PhD, both of the Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology at the UC College of Medicine.

Cryo-EM technologyallows researchers to prepare and image samples at very cold temperatures to visualize them in a near-native hydrated state. This helps them get a look at proteins at the atomic level.

Were actually visualizing a single protein, says Kovall. This is quite different from other structural techniques where you dont get this direct visualization.

For research scientist and facility manager Benefield, PhD, its valuable for studying any kind of proteins that are related to human disease. She first learned about cryo-EM in graduate school.

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WVXU: UC scientists are deep-freezing molecules. Here's why they're so excited about it - University of Cincinnati