Introduction to Cryo-EM and 3D Image Processing in Structural Biology

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) has revolutionized structural biology, allowing scientists to visualize biomolecules at near-atomic resolution. Understanding both the physical microscopy and the computational image processing pipeline is essential for modern biochemical research. This written course guides you through the entire journey from sample preparation to final 3D density maps. You will gain a clear conceptual understanding of how cryo-electron microscopes capture data and how specialized software processes noisy 2D projections into detailed 3D structural models. What you will learn: Understand the fundamental physics of electron optics, sample vitrification, and image formation in Cryo-EM; Explore the modern data collection workflow, including direct electron detectors and automated acquisition; Analyze the mathematical foundations of 2D alignment, classification, and 3D reconstruction techniques; Master the computational steps of single-particle analysis, from motion correction to contrast transfer function (CTF) estimation; Evaluate modern validation metrics and the integration of AI-assisted modeling tools for density map interpretation. The course begins with foundational terminology and the biophysical principles of sample preparation. From there, you will progress through the computational stages of image processing, learning how raw data is refined into validated three-dimensional biological structures. Designed for beginners, students, and researchers in biology, chemistry, or computer science with no prior experience in electron microscopy. Start reading today to unlock the power of modern structural biology.