2024 FFT

New probabilistic 3D reconstruction algorithms for single-particle electron microscopy applications

Hans Elmlund (NIH)

Abstract: Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and single-particle analysis (SPA) is becoming an increasingly important tool for the investigation of molecular mechanisms of cancer through determination of atomic structures of relevant biomolecules and complexes. The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) established a state-of-the-art cryo-EM facility at the National Cancer Institute’s Frederick site. I was recruited in October 2021 to set up a research group focusing on image processing algorithm development, creating computational tools to make the most of this technology. In my talk, I will introduce the latest algorithmic developments in our software suite SIMPLE for real-time SPA, producing a definitive preprocessing and particle selection for cryo-EM data sets of several millions of particles directly upon completion of the acquisition. SIMPLE enables real-time data processing using minimal CPU computing resources to allow easy and cost-efficient scaling of processing as data rates escalate.