Wellcome-MRC Cryo-EM in Structural Biology 2025

Mar 03. till Mar 07.

Wellcome-MRC Cryo-EM in Structural Biology 2025

eBIC (Diamond light source) has partnered with the Astbury Biostructure Lab (University of Leeds), the Scottish Centre for Macromolecular Imaging (University of Glasgow), Midlands Regional Cryo-EM Facility (University of Leicester) and Birkbeck college (University of London) to host training courses between 2021-2026 in cryo-EM. This training program would not be possible without these partners, and is funded by Wellcome and MRC (218785/Z/19/Z).

Date
03/03/20252025-03-03T09:00:00 - 07/03/20252025-03-07T17:00:00
Time
09:00 - 17:00
Location
Hybrid - Diamond Light Source / The Astbury Centre, & online (via zoom)
Link
Apply here

Overview

This is a hybrid event targeted at researchers new to the field, it will provide fundamental lectures and practical demonstrations in cryo-EM, from sample preparation and the electron microscope, through to image formation and processing, reconstruction in SPA and cryo-ET, and model building. 

Lectures will be held in-person and will be broadcast to the wider community via Zoom. Demonstrations and hands-on practical sessions covering sample preparation, cryo-EM screening, SPA data collection and cryo-ET will be available to in-person attendees only.

Due to limited space, in-person places will be limited:

  • 7 spaces are reserved for our internal DTP Students (attendance by invitation) and are funded by the Wellcome Trust
  • 17 spaces are available by application to selected PhD students or postdocs from the community (5 at Diamond, 12 at the Astbury Centre, Leeds) - these spaces are fully funded by Wellcome-MRC and we welcome applications from UK-based and non-UK based PhD students and post docs new to the field using cryo-EM as part of their research

There is no fee to attend this course in-person or online but registration is mandatory. For the 17 Wellcome-MRC funded places, accommodation and food will be provided. We offer financial support for travel to participants with limited access to funding. This support includes reimbursement of travel expenses up to £250. Any expenses exceeding these amounts will need to be covered by the participants.

Programme

A full programme will be available in due course

Day 1: Monday 3rd March 2025

  • In-person only: Students arrival in-person and flash talks
  • Lectures covering principles of cryo-electron microscopy (EM) and an introduction to Single Particle Analysis, SPA sample preparation and screening strategies (in-person and virtual)

Day 2: Tuesday 4th March 2025

  • Demonstrations in SPA sample preparation, screening and data collection  (in-person and virtual)
  • Practical sessions in SPA sample preparation, screening and data collection (in-person only)

Day 3: Wednesday 5th March 2025

  • Lectures covering SPA image processing, reconstruction, dealing with structural heterogeneity in datasets and model building (in-person and virtual)
  • Demonstrations in SPA image processing in RELION (in-person and virtual)

Day 3: Thursday 6th March 2025

  • Lectures covering principles of cryo-Electron Tomography (ET), sample preparation and screening strategies (in-person and virtual)
  • Demonstrations in cryo-ET sample preparation and data collection (in-person only)

Day 4: Friday 7th March 2025

  • Lectures covering cryo-ET image processing and reconstruction (in-person and virtual)
  • Demonstrations covering cryo-ET image processing and reconstruction (in-person and virtual)
  • Student learning & feedback discussion (in-person only)
  • Case studies and discussion (in-person only)

How to Apply (for in-person places)

IN-PERSON APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED AND PARTICIPANTS SELECTED

There are 17 Wellcome-MRC funded spaces available to selected PhD students and postdocs from the community (5 at Diamond, 12 at the Astbury Centre, Leeds). We welcome applications from UK-based and non-UK based PhD students, places will be allocated on the grounds of merit and anticipated benefit.

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • You are a PhD student or postdoc new to the field and will be using cryo-EM as part of your work
  • You have access to equipment in order to apply the newly acquired knowledge at your home institution (i.e., you have access to the relevant instruments at your home institute, have plans in place to acquire instrumentation or have access through a local institute).

Before beginning the application process, please prepare the following documents to upload to the application page:

  • A cover letter describing your background, motivation for applying for the course and how this will benefit your institute and your research. Please also describe your current role/position, any access routes for instrumentation and your plans for using cryo-EM and/or cryo-ET.
  • A letter of support from your supervisor or manager explaining why you are a good candidate for this course, how it would be beneficial for you, your group and your institute

If successful, you will be asked to formally accept your place and register for the event. Academic places will be free of charge and include:

  • all meals and refreshments
  • accommodation if required, checking in on Sunday 2nd March and checking out on Friday 7th March
  • travel costs up to £250 for participants with limited access to funding (any expenses exceeding these amounts will need to be covered by the participants)

You will need to arrange and pay for your own travel to get to your host institute.

How to Register (for online lectures via Zoom)

REGISTRATION FOR ONLINE LECTURES WILL OPEN ON 17/02/25

To access the lectures online, there is no fee and you do not need to apply but registration is mandatory - registration will open in mid-February.

Key dates

Applications for in-person attendance18/12/24 - 19/01/24

Candidate selection: All applicants will be notified with the outcome of their application by 26/01/25

Registration for online attendance: open from the 17/02/25

Contact the organisers

If you have any queries relating to this workshop, or if you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact [email protected]

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