- ◇ STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY · CRYO-ELECTRON TOMOGRAPHY
STRUCTURAL CONTEXT VIA
Cryo-Electron Tomography
Structural insight in cellular and complex sample environments.
- CRYO-ET SERVICES · IN SITU STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
Molecular architecture in near-native environments.
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) provides three-dimensional views of biological structures in vitrified samples while preserving their subcellular context. By comparing samples captured at different time points or biological states, it can also reveal structural changes over time. This makes cryo-ET particularly valuable for studying cells, organelles, vesicles, viruses, and drug-delivery systems.
At BIMOVIS, we use cryo-ET to investigate how biological components are organized, interact, and change within near-native environments. Our services support research in cell and infection biology, drug-delivery vector characterization, membrane-associated systems, and complex macromolecular assemblies.
Depending on the project, cryo-ET can be integrated with single-particle cryo-EM, subtomogram analysis, computational structural biology, and molecular visualization to connect structural detail with its biological, spatial, and temporal context.
- ◇ WHAT CRYO-EM REVEALS
Subcellular Organization, Spatio-Temporal Context and Structural Heterogeneity
Cryo-electron tomography reveals how biological structures are arranged in three dimensions while preserving their native-like organization. This makes cryo-ET particularly useful for systems where localization, architecture, membrane association, or particle-to-particle variability is part of the scientific question.
For complex samples, cryo-ET can provide structural context that is difficult to obtain from purified components alone. It can help show how a delivery vector is organized, how viral or vesicular particles vary, how membrane-associated complexes are positioned, or how cellular structures relate to each other in space.
The achievable level of detail depends on sample thickness, contrast, particle behavior, and data quality. Early assessment is therefore important to define what cryo-ET can realistically answer and whether additional approaches such as single-particle cryo-EM, image analysis, or molecular visualization should be integrated.
- 3D organization of cells, vesicles, viruses, and macromolecular assemblies
- Spatial relationships between membranes, complexes, and cellular structures
- Structural heterogeneity across individual particles or sample regions
- Architecture of drug delivery vectors and membrane-associated systems
- Context for integrating experimental data, computational models, and molecular visualization
- ◇ WORKFLOW
How we work.
- 01
Scientific scoping & sample strategy
We discuss the biological system, project question, and sample constraints to define whether cryo-ET is the optimal approach.
- 02
Sample preparation planning
We define a preparation strategy based on sample type and structural characteristics. For thicker specimens, cryo-FIB milling can be used to create thin, electron-transparent lamellae, enabling suitable regions of the sample to be analyzed by cryo-ET.
- 03
Vitrification & Grid Screening
Samples are vitrified and screened to assess ice quality, distribution, contrast and suitability for tomography.
- 04
Optional cryo-CLEM & cryo-FIB preparation
Depending on the sample, cryo-CLEM can be used to locate specific regions of interest, while cryo-FIB thinning prepares suitable areas for electron tomography. both steps are introduced on need-to-use basis and can be combined depending on the project.
- 05
Tilt-series data collection
Tomography data are acquired with on-the-fly data quality assessment and optimization of imaging conditions.
- 06
Tomogram reconstruction & analysis
Tilt-series data are aligned and reconstructed to generate 3D tomograms for structural interpretation.
- 01
Scientific scoping & sample strategy
We discuss the biological system, project question and sample constraints to define whether cryo-ET is the right approach.
- 02
Sample preparation planning
We define a preparation strategy based on sample type and structural characteristics. For thicker specimens, cryo-FIB milling can be used to create thin, electron-transparent lamellae, enabling suitable regions of the sample to be analyzed by cryo-ET.
- 03
Vitrification & grid screening
Samples are vitrified and screened to assess ice quality, distribution, contrast and suitability for tomography.
- 04
Optional cryo-CLEM & cryo-FIB preparation
Depending on the sample, cryo-CLEM can be used to locate specific regions of interest, while cryo-FIB thinning prepares suitable areas for electron tomography. both steps are introduced on need-to-use basis and can be combined depending on the project.
- 05
Tilt-series data collection
Tomography data are acquired with on-the-fly data quality assessment and optimization of imaging conditions.
- 06
Tomogram reconstruction & analysis
Tilt-series data are aligned and reconstructed to generate 3D tomograms for structural interpretation.
- ◇ APPLICATIONS
Where Cryo-ET service applies.
Cryo-ET supports projects where structural context, spatial organization, or sample heterogeneity are central to the question.
Drug Delivery Vector Characterization
Structural assessment of vesicles, particles, and delivery systems where morphology, architecture, and heterogeneity matter.
Antibody Epitope Mapping
Contextual structural information for antibody-target interactions in larger assemblies or membrane-associated systems.
Protein Engineering
Insight into how engineered proteins or assemblies behave in larger structural environments.
AI Structure Model Validation
Experimental context for positioning, assessing, or interpreting predicted structures within larger molecular systems.
Molecular Visualization
Clear visual communication of complex tomographic data, cellular architecture, and molecular organization.
- ◇ COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES
Extend your project.
Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM)
High-resolution single-particle analysis for purified complexes and structural states.
Molecular Visualization
Scientific images, animations and visual interpretation of complex structural and cellular data.
- ◇ FAQ
Cryo-ET questions.
When is cryo-ET the right choice compared to single-particle cryo-EM?
Choose cryo-ET when the spatial organization of molecules within cells or complex biological samples is central to your research question. Cryo-ET preserves native-like architecture, allowing you to visualize how molecular components are arranged and interact in situ. Single-particle cryo-EM is generally preferred for determining high-resolution structures of purified, relatively homogeneous macromolecular complexes. Many projects benefit from combining both techniques: cryo-ET provides biological context, while single-particle cryo-EM delivers higher-resolution structural detail.
What samples are suitable for cryo-electron tomography?
Cryo-electron tomography is commonly applied to cells, organelles, membranes, viruses, vesicles, bacteria, protein assemblies, and drug delivery systems. During project planning, BIMOVIS evaluates sample thickness, stability, and scientific objectives to determine whether cryo-ET services are the most appropriate approach or whether complementary structural biology techniques should be integrated.
What affects the level of detail achievable with cryo-ET?
The level of structural detail depends on sample thickness, vitrification quality, image contrast, particle behavior, and overall data quality. Early grid screening helps determine what can realistically be achieved and whether complementary approaches such as single-particle cryo-EM, subtomogram averaging, image analysis, or molecular visualization will strengthen the study.
What kinds of biological questions does cryo-ET help answer?
Cryo-ET is particularly well suited for studying: three-dimensional organization of cells, membranes, vesicles, viruses, and macromolecular assemblies; spatial relationships between membrane-associated complexes and cellular structures; structural heterogeneity across individual particles or cellular regions; architecture of drug delivery vectors; and organization of biological structures within their native cellular environment.
Can cryo-ET data be integrated with computational models or AI-predicted structures?
Yes. Cryo-ET provides experimental structural context for AI-predicted models and computational simulations. It positions predicted structures within larger biological systems. Supported by subtomogram averaging and integrated with molecular visualization, it helps to interpret how molecular components are organized and behave in their native environment.
- ◇ RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
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