# Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM - administrative supplement

> **NIH NIH U24** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $29,851

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revolutionized imaging in biomedical science, from
near atomic resolution visualization of individual biological molecules by single particle cryo-EM
to the definition of macromolecular complexes, in situ, using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-
ET). This revolution has been driven largely by advances in the detectors employed to collect
the cryo-EM images, in the computer software programs utilized in image analysis and
specimen reconstruction, and in the microscopes themselves. Because the technology
underpinning cryo-EM is both expensive and has dramatically advanced over a short period of
time, many research groups that could benefit from incorporating cryo-EM in their biomedical
studies neither have access to cryo-EM technology nor have the training to employ the
technology. To address access to cryo-EM technology and education, we will create the Pacific
Northwest Center for Cryo-EM. The PNCC will be a collaborative effort between the Oregon
Health and Science University (OHSU) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
By harnessing the strengths of OHSU in high resolution imaging, biological sample preparation
and education in cryo-EM with the long-standing experience of PNNL in electron microscopy,
high performance computing and robust user facility operation, we will endow the PNCC with
outstanding capabilities in single particle cryo-EM and cryo-ET, as well as with a thorough and
complete program in cryo-EM education or cross-training. Moreover, because the PNCC has
established collaborations with leaders in cryo-EM technology and in computer hardware and
software, the PNCC will be at the forefront of technological capability. Furthermore, the
participation of OHSU in a cryo-EM school co-sponsored by the microscope manufacturer, FEI,
will bolster the cross-training program of the PNCC. Both OHSU and PNNL will make major
investments in the PNCC. OHSU will provide a low vibration space for the instrumentation, it will
donate a new microscope to the center and OHSU will provide $19M in additional funding for
use in space renovation, acquisition of an additional microscope and support of center staff. At
the same time, PNNL has pledged access to their high performance computer centers, their
user programs and their high resolution electron microscopes. By bringing together two major
research institutions with complementary strengths, together with judiciously chosen
collaborations and major additional sources of support, we will create a state- of-the-art, user-
focused center for the high resolution imaging of biological molecules and macromolecular
assemblies and for the education of the next generation of scientists trained in the field of cryo-
EM.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10233738
- **Project number:** 3U24GM129547-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** James E Evans
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $29,851
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10233738

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10233738, Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM - administrative supplement (3U24GM129547-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-04 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10233738. Licensed CC0.

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