Enhancing the quality of samples for cryogenic electron microscopy
Official title: Improving Cryo-EM Specimen Quality Using Surface Science
Funded at Denovx, LLC · NIH-11007895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making it easier to prepare tiny biological samples for a special imaging technique called cryoEM, which helps scientists see proteins and other important structures more clearly, so they can better understand how they work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Denovx, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Streamwood, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $349,999 |
| NIH project number | 1R43GM156151-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007895 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with diseases that are studied using cryoEM techniques, such as various protein misfolding disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to the biological structures studied by cryoEM may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the preparation of biological samples for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), a technique used to visualize proteins and other biological structures at high resolution. The project aims to address challenges in specimen quality by modifying the surfaces of support materials to enhance the distribution and orientation of bioanalytes. By using innovative surface science techniques, the researchers hope to create better conditions for sample preparation, which could lead to more accurate imaging and understanding of biological processes. This work is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cryoEM workflows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of diseases and the development of new therapies through improved imaging of biological structures.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using surface modifications in cryoEM is innovative, similar techniques have shown promise in enhancing specimen quality in other imaging modalities.
Where this research is happening
-
Denovx, LLC
Streamwood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bond, Andrew H. — Denovx, LLC
- Study coordinator: Bond, Andrew H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving protein crystallization to aid drug design for substance use disorders
This study is working on improving the way scientists create tiny crystals of important proteins that help us understand how drugs work in the body, especially for people dealing with substance use disorders, so that we can develop better medications for them.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.