# The Southeastern Center for Microscopy of Macromolecular Machines (SECM4)

> **NIH NIH R24** · FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $1,164,382

## Abstract

Abstract
The Southeastern Center for Microscopy of MacroMolecular Machines (SECM4), at Florida State
University (FSU) will be a service center that will enable sample preparation and cryogenic electron
microscopy (cryo-EM) imaging of specimens for high-resolution biomolecular structure determination.
The center will be led by Dr. Scott Stagg and Dr. Kenneth Taylor and will feature two staff members
with complimentary expertise. This will be the second generation of the SECM4. The first generation
provided high-resolution cryo-EM data collection for cryo-EM experts. In the new generation of the
SECM4, we are expanding the scope of the resource by offsetting the cost of collecting high-resolution
data on the microscope for all users with a very modest usage fee and also by offering a large number
of new services including cryo-EM specimen optimization, specimen preparation, specimen screening,
high-resolution data collection, routine single particle data analysis, and training for all aspects of cryo-
EM from specimen preparation to processing. We will target users in the greater Southeast to be clients
for the center, specifically focusing expanding into the underserved IDeA states that have not benefitted
from the current explosion in cryo-EM due to the extraordinary costs that serve as an entry barrier. Our
approach will enable exceptional economies of scale because we will: 1) enable users at universities
across the Southeast to gain entry the cryo-EM field without making multi-million dollar investments in
instrumentation, 2) by offering screening and specimen optimization services, we will address the
biggest bottleneck in cryo-EM right now, which is preparation of cryo-EM samples that will reconstruct
to high-resolution, 3) by offering in person training and offsetting the travel costs, we will enable
interested users to gain entry into the field of cryo-EM without having to seek out a collaboration with an
already saturated cryo-EM expert.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10431456
- **Project number:** 1R24GM145964-01
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT M STAGG
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,164,382
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10431456

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10431456, The Southeastern Center for Microscopy of Macromolecular Machines (SECM4) (1R24GM145964-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10431456. Licensed CC0.

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