# TRD4: Design and Engineering of MicroED hardware for nanocrystallization and time resolved studies

> **NIH NIH P41** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $210,512

## Abstract

TRD4. Design and Engineering of MicroED hardware for nanocrystallization and time resolved studies –
Spence (Lead)
Summary
The initial development of microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED), and subsequent improvements to the
technique, have been driven by new data collection methods and hardware for controlling the microscope. Of
particular importance is turning MicroED into a high-throughput method with time-resolved capability to be able
to rapidly determine time-dependent structure-function relation of functioning macomolecular complexes. This
will propel the technique forward, but it requires additional design and engineering efforts in order to make these
desired features a reality. Here, we will focus on three MicroED engineering aims: (1) the development of high
throughput on-grid crystallization equipment to increase the efficiency and success rate of MicroED experiments,
(2) the adaptation and design of new equipment and methods to conduct time-resolved MicroED experiments,
(3) the design of a multi-functional grid surface, or “lab on a grid” for the streamlined preparation of small molecule
samples for MicroED structure determination. The aims of this project are 1. Development of high throughput
on-grid crystallization for MicroED; 2. New sample preparation methodology for time-resolved MicroED; 3. “Lab
on a grid” for MicroED analysis of small molecules. Overall, we will design, engineer, and implement new tools
and techniques for three major aspects of MicroED. These new tools will greatly accelerate the throughput
capabilities of the MicroED and improve the quality of collected data. Additionally, new experimental modalities
will be made possible through the work in Aim 2, opening the door to precise time-resolved studies by MicroED.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9935726
- **Project number:** 1P41GM136508-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN Charles SPENCE
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $210,512
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9935726

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9935726, TRD4: Design and Engineering of MicroED hardware for nanocrystallization and time resolved studies (1P41GM136508-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9935726. Licensed CC0.

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