2026 Cryo-Electron Tomography Data Processing Workshop

Cryo-electron tomography is a rapidly evolving imaging technique that allows for calculating 3D structures of biological specimens in vitro and within the cellular context (i.e., in situ). It also allows us to chart the native unperturbed cellular landscapes. Recent technological developments in microscopes, cameras and computation have led to a “resolution revolution” in the field, and it is now possible to determine 3D structures at near-atomic resolution from directly within cells. 

The focus of this four-day class is to introduce participants to standard image processing packages used to analyze cryo-ET data. In this hands-on class, participants will work with instructors to learn how to independently use software packages or algorithms such as Warp/M, IMOD, STOPGAP, MAVEn and various segmentation software. A key feature of the course will be the opportunity for participants to learn all aspects of cryo-ET data processing, such as tilt-series alignment, tomogram reconstruction, particle picking, subtomogram averaging and segmentation. 

For this year's course, all participants will work on the in situ ribosome dataset (Tegunov et al., Nature Methods, 2021) for all aspects of the workshop except segmentation, for which a mammalian HeLa cell tomogram will be provided.

Participant Requirements:

• Laptop computer
• Watch Dr. Jensen's Caltech online cryo-EM course before arriving
• Experience collecting cryo-ET data and familiarity with the SerialEM data format will be beneficial.