Optimizing global and local data processing after data collection for single particle cryo-EM

• Grant number: 24/03426-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Marin Gerard van Heel
• Grantee: Gabriela Viegas Haute
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/06062-1 - Biological complexes in action, in vitro and in silico (Exploiting Big-Data in Cryo-EM), AP.TEM

Abstract

This project will support the development of methods and software related primarily to the optimization of the "off-line" data processing. The transition between "on-line" data collection and pre-processing, and the "off-line" processing is a gradual one, where the on-line processing is primarily aimed at providing rapid feed-back for the optimization of the Cryo-EM data collection, and the "off-line" processing covers everything else required for successfully elucidating 3D structures and their interpretation. The focus of the off-line processing will be on 4D processing related to global and local variations. We can already elucidate local variations within large sets of related 3D structures, such as the SARS-CoV-2 3D structures already available in the public EMDB data base. In this project, the methods will be applied to a larger variety of macromolecules, including datasets that are available in public databases and datasets produced in our own facility. This "beta-testing" of the methods being developed will provide feedback (and new challenges) to our methodology developments aimed at better understanding structural heterogeneity. This project will especially support our ongoing efforts to solve structures of pathogenic viruses.