Key Takeaways

• UC Santa Cruz enhances global access to cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for researchers in underserved regions.
• The facility has enabled 37 biological structure solutions since 2022 and supports various disease research, including influenza and RSV.
• Partnerships with international institutions ensure long-term sustainability through cost-recovery and training initiatives.

The University of California, Santa Cruz is opening its cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) facility to institutions across the globe, aiming to democratize access to advanced scientific research tools. This initiative allows scientists, particularly from underserved regions like Africa, to collect and analyze cryo-EM data without the need for costly equipment.

Cryo-EM is a cutting-edge method for visualizing the three-dimensional structures of large biological molecules, playing a crucial role in understanding cell functions related to health and disease. Since its establishment in 2020, UC Santa Cruz’s cryo-EM facility has facilitated significant research projects, yielding 13 publications while tackling health challenges such as influenza and RSV.

The facility promotes an inclusive model for structural biology, overcoming geographical and infrastructural barriers that typically limit research contributions. As noted by Jeffrey Weekley, director of research IT, the collaboration reduces financial obstacles, enabling researchers in Africa to contribute to data collection and analysis without requiring multimillion-dollar equipment.

Collaboration extends to six countries as part of a joint initiative with the AmLight research-education network. Partner institutions, including the University of Cape Town and Florida International University, now have access to the facility, further promoting scientific collaboration on a global scale.

To ensure the facility’s long-term viability, users are charged for access, with discounts available for UC Santa Cruz researchers. Off-campus users are also encouraged to apply for grants to cover costs. This model allows for expanded usage, benefiting both the institution and users.

In August, Vitor Hugo Balasco Serrão, the facility’s manager, received a $50,000 grant to lead workshops aimed at training users in cryo-EM data processing. This aligns with the Science Division’s strategic goals, emphasizing research impact and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The facility features a state-of-the-art Thermo Scientific Glacios microscope, one of roughly 230 in the world, facilitating high throughput in sample preparation, data acquisition, and processing. Since its opening, over two dozen labs and 15 companies across six countries have utilized the facility.

In a recent visit, University of Cape Town’s structural biologist Jeremy Woodward explored the facility’s operations, emphasizing the potential of international collaboration to enhance scientific discovery. By enabling African researchers to access advanced cryo-EM technology, this initiative could unlock critical insights for developing vaccines and addressing health challenges on the continent.

In summary, UC Santa Cruz’s cryo-EM facility is positioned as a transformative resource in structural biology, fostering global partnerships and advancing important health research.

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