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

项目总结/摘要 Cryo-EM和cryo-ET已经成为跨区域可视化生物结构的不可或缺的工具。 从小分子和蛋白质到整个细胞的广泛尺度。尽管人们越来越热衷于 这些方法，cryo-EM和cryo-ET由于以下几个原因是相对难以获得的：首先， 冷冻EM和冷冻ET新手的培训材料;第二， 经验丰富的从业人员和新来者;第三，很少有机构有办法采购和维护 仪器的高成本。为了解决这些局限性，我们创建了“CryoEM 101”，一个自定进度的， 互动式在线课程，使用用户友好和媒体丰富的方法来吸引和教授新人 典型冷冻电镜项目工作流程的基础知识。我们现在建议通过开发来扩展CryoEM 101 新的内容强调样本和网格准备的最佳实践，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 目前正在开发的项目。我们还建议创建CryoET 101，它将被建模 后CryoEM 101通过使用视频，3D动画，和互动模块来教的原则和最好的 低温ET的基本实践。与CryoEM 101一样，CryoET 101将分为几个章节，每个章节 它将专注于冷冻ET工作流程沿着的一个独特步骤，并将包含视觉上吸引人的模块， 讲授核心原则。培训材料的准确性和质量将由单独的咨询机构进行评估。 cryo-EM和cryo-ET委员会由每种方法的专家组成。用户熟练程度将是 通过章节结束和课程结束测验进行评估。总的来说，这项提案的目标是指导低温- EM和cryo-ET新人沿着他们的训练，他们可以独立准备和优化 他们的标本在专门的EM中心进行高质量的数据收集。

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.