# The National Center for In-situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU)

> **NIH NIH U24** · NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER · 2021 · $246,610

## Abstract

Summary
We propose to establish the National Center for In-situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) to be based at
the Simons Electron Microscopy Center (SEMC), which is a part of the New York Structural Biology Center
(NYSBC), based in New York, NY. NCITU is dedicated to developing and providing access to both standard and
advanced methods for in-situ cryoET specimen preparation, and to disseminating this expertise through a cryoET
cross-training program designed to serve a wide variety of skill levels and career goals.
The primary goal of the National Center for In-situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) is to provide user
access and service towards preparing specimen for direct visualization of macromolecular associations and
organization, particularly in native cells. A highly qualified technical team provides direct hands-on service,
guidance, and assistance to ensure that samples and grids are prepared with the highest quality and in the
shortest time possible. An already well established cross-training program is being expanded and extended to
provide training in every aspect of the cryoET specimen preparation pipeline.
This is a request for supplemental funding for the National Center for In-situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy
(NCITU) to enhance the quality and throughput of the TFS Aquilos 2 cryo-FIB-SEM. This is a specific request
for (i) a high-vacuum sample transfer rod, (ii) an in-chamber water vapor reduction upgrade, and (iii) a liquid
nitrogen cooling longevity upgrade.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10397367
- **Project number:** 3U24GM139171-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIDGET Olivia CARRAGHER
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $246,610
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10397367

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10397367, The National Center for In-situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) (3U24GM139171-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10397367. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*