criomicroscopía

Criomicroscopía, also known as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), is a scientific technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of biological molecules at near-atomic resolution. It involves rapidly freezing a sample of the molecule in a thin layer of vitreous ice, which preserves its natural conformation. This frozen sample is then placed in a transmission electron microscope. Electrons are passed through the sample, and the resulting images, called projections, are recorded by a detector. Millions of these projections are then computationally analyzed and combined to reconstruct a detailed 3D model of the molecule.

The development of cryo-EM has revolutionized structural biology, enabling researchers to study molecules that were previously difficult or impossible to crystallize for X-ray crystallography. This includes large protein complexes, membrane proteins, and viruses. The ability to visualize these structures in a near-native state provides crucial insights into their function, mechanisms of action, and interactions with other molecules. This, in turn, accelerates drug discovery, disease understanding, and the development of new biotechnologies. Cryo-EM has been recognized with Nobel Prizes for its transformative impact on science.