Workshop report: EMBO Course on Image Processing in Cryo-EM

Posted on behalf of Freya Cardozo

I, Freya Cardozo, am a graduate student at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, pursuing my PhD on understanding how the actin cytoskeleton of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans contributes to its virulence and pathogenesis. During my research, I became deeply fascinated by the structural aspects of actin and its binding proteins in this pathogen. However, since my lab primarily specializes in fluorescence-based live-cell imaging and cell biology, I had limited exposure to the practical nuances of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

The EMBO Course on Image Processing in Cryo-EM, held at Birkbeck College, London, UK, was therefore a perfect opportunity to bridge this gap. I am sincerely grateful to the organizers and to The Company of Biologists and JCS-FocalPlane Training Grant for supporting my participation.

The course was exceptionally well-designed, combining in-depth theoretical sessions with practical, hands-on training to ensure holistic learning. The speaker lineup was outstanding, bringing together leading experts in both single-particle analysis (SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). It was an incredible experience to interact with Nobel Laureate Richard Henderson, whose insights made for an inspiring scientific discussion.

Renowned experts such as Helen Saibil, Peter Rosenthal, Chris Russo, and Gabe Lander delivered excellent lectures that introduced new advancements and techniques in the field. The hands-on sessions provided valuable experience with key software tools such as RELION and CryoSPARC, which are routinely used to solve and refine macromolecular structures. Sjors Scheres, the creator of RELION, guided us through advanced workflows and updates that greatly enhanced my understanding of the software.

The practical modules were thoughtfully designed, allowing participants to process data, solve structures independently, validate models, and determine resolutions. I was also introduced to the rapidly growing field of cryo-electron tomography, with insightful sessions led by Giulia Zanetti, Sven Klumpe, and Beata Turonova. Their lectures and practicals on RELION-Doppio, FIB-SEM, and recent research in tomography opened up new perspectives on in situ structural biology.

By the end of the course, I had developed a much deeper understanding and appreciation of image processing and structural analysis. I am now better equipped to integrate these approaches into my research and to share this knowledge with my peers.

This workshop has been an invaluable learning experience that has significantly contributed to my growth as a researcher. I am truly grateful to The Company of Biologists for making this opportunity possible.
Thank you!

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