Poster Presentation 50th Lorne Proteins Conference 2025

TEMPO: Training in Electron Microscopy Processing and Optics (#217)

Joshua M Hardy 1 2 , Andrew Leis 1 2 , Nicholas S Kirk 1 2 , Winnie Tan 1 2 , Katrina A Black 1 2 , Matthew D Johnson 3 , Charles Bayly-Jones 4 , Debnath Ghosal 3 , Alisa Glukhova 1 2 , Shabih Shakeel 1 2 , Isabelle S Lucet 1 2 , Jeffrey J Babon 1 2
  1. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  3. Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  4. Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a rapidly developing method for the determination of 3D structures of protein complexes. These structures are used to understand the interactions of cellular proteins and design drugs and vaccines to treat human diseases. However, cryo-EM involves proficiency with sample preparation, microscopy, and image analysis on high-performance computing and consequently, there is a steep learning curve for many postdoctoral scientists and students.

While there are some international cryo-EM training programs and occasional workshops in Australia, most have limited capacity and there was a need for ongoing training within the WEHI community. To address this, we founded the Training in Electron Microscopy Processing and Optics (TEMPO) program. TEMPO meets online and provides educational materials to elevate the proficiency of cryo-EM users. It is an inclusive platform that facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and experience from resident cryo-EM experts.

Since founding TEMPO in June 2021, we have delivered 29 lectures covering different aspects of the cryo-EM workflow including: Sample Preparation, Electron Optics, Image Processing, Single-Particle Analysis, Helical Reconstruction, Cryo-Electron Tomography, and Structure Modelling and Visualisation. These lectures are recorded and shared via the TEMPO website. The website also contains resources on all aspects of the cryo-EM workflow and is updated regularly with links and new materials. I will present our unique online platform which has allowed us to adapt to a rapidly evolving field and how we plan to expand and support the next generation of cryo-EM scientists in Australia.