What are the advantages of single-particle cryo-electron microscopy compared to x-ray crystal diffraction and magnetic resonance?

Compared to X-ray crystal diffraction and magnetic resonance, single-particle cryo-electron microscopy has unparalleled advantages. This technique does not require protein crystallization, requires only a small amount of protein sample, and is suitable for samples of different sizes, for example, as small as 64. 000 hemoglobin, large particles up to several megadaltons. Frozen electron tomography can even be used for larger biological samples, such as tissues and cells, to obtain high resolution images and structures of macromolecules and their complexes in situ in cells or tissues.

Another advantage of cryo-electron microscopy is that it presents more than just static structures. Sample preparation by cryo-EM can be done in an instant, capturing dynamic changes in protein molecules. Perhaps in the future, people can observe intermolecular interactions and their dynamic changes in cells or tissues and organs. Perhaps in the future, people can observe intermolecular interactions and their dynamic processes in situ in cells or tissues and organs.

Explanation:

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