Forum 11/02/2006

“The Next Step in High-Throuphput High-Resolution Image Processing for Single Particle Reconstructions”

Scott Stagg, Research Associate and Gabriel Lander, Graduate Student – Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA

One of the goals of the Automated Molecular Imaging group is to develop imaging techniques for solving the three-dimensional structure of macromolecular complexes using cryoTEM.  While the throughput of the data collection process has thus far been greatly improved by development the LEGINON software, we wish to further automate post- collection image assessment and processing for reconstructions.  We have integrated automatic CTF estimation/correction and particle selection into our processing pipeline, such that these run concurrently with data collection.  We will describe the manner in which such processing can be initiated via web-based interfaces, and propose a straight-forward way in which it will be possible to keep track of and assess the results of reconstructions with high throughput.