Interactive, Self-Paced Training Modules for Cryo-EM and Cryo-ET Novices

项目摘要/摘要 CRYO-EM和CRYO-ET已经成为可视化生物结构的不可或缺的工具 范围很广，从小分子和蛋白质到整个细胞。尽管越来越多的人热衷于 这些方法，冷冻-EM和冷冻-ET相对难以获得，原因有几个：第一，没有足够的 为冷冻-EM和冷冻-ET新手提供的培训材料；第二，专业知识差距越来越大 有经验的从业者和新人；第三，很少有机构有能力采购和维护 仪器设备的高昂成本。为了解决这些限制，我们创造了‘CryoEM 101’，一个自定进度的， 交互式在线课程，使用用户友好和富媒体的方法来吸引和教授新手 关于典型的低温电磁项目工作流程的基础知识。我们现在建议通过开发 强调样本和网格准备的最佳实践的新内容，创建自我评估测验 让用户评估他们的学习情况，并将我们的培训材料与更广泛的“功勋徽章”认证相结合 目前正在开发的计划。我们还建议创建CryoET 101，它将被建模 通过使用视频、3D动画和交互模块来讲授CryoEM 101的原理和最佳 冷冻机背后的实践。与CryoEM 101类似，CryoET 101将分为几章，每一章 它将专注于冷冻工作流程中的一个不同步骤，并将包含视觉上吸引人的模块，这些模块 讲授核心原则。培训材料的准确性和质量将通过单独的咨询进行评估 冷冻-EM和冷冻-ET的委员会，由每种方法的主题专家组成。用户熟练程度将是 通过章节末尾和课程末尾测验进行评估。总体而言，这项建议的目标是引导低温- EM和Cryo-et新人在他们的培训过程中达到一个点，他们可以独立准备和优化 他们的标本在专门的EM中心收集高质量的数据。

Project Summary/Abstract Cryo-EM and cryo-ET have emerged as indispensable tools to visualize biological structures across a broad range of scales, from small molecules and proteins to entire cells. Despite the growing enthusiasm for these methods, cryo-EM and cryo-ET are relatively inaccessible for several reasons: first, there are inadequate training materials for cryo-EM and cryo-ET novices; second, there is a growing expertise gap between experienced practitioners and newcomers; and third, few institutions have the means to procure and maintain the high cost of instrumentation. In order to address these limitations, we created ‘CryoEM 101’, a self-paced, interactive online course that uses a user-friendly and media-rich approach to engage and teach newcomers on the basics of the typical cryo-EM project workflow. We now propose to expand CryoEM 101 by developing new content that emphasize best practices in sample and grid preparation, creating self-assessment quizzes for users to gauge their learning, and integrating our training material with a broader “merit badge” certification program that is currently under development. We also propose to create CryoET 101, which will be modeled after CryoEM 101 by using video, 3D animation, and interactive modules to teach the principles and best practices underlying cryo-ET. Like CryoEM 101, CryoET 101 will be divided into several chapters, each of which will focus on a distinct step along the cryo-ET workflow and will contain visually engaging modules that teach core principles. The accuracy and quality of the training material will be evaluated by separate Advisory Boards for cryo-EM and cryo-ET that consist of subject experts in each method. User proficiency will be assessed through end-of-chapter and end-of-course quizzes. Overall, the goal of this proposal is to guide cryo- EM and cryo-ET newcomers to a point along their training where they can independently prepare and optimize their specimens for high-quality data collection at dedicated EM centers.