strubiEM
Helpful protocols and videos for all things strubiEM, from sample prep to processing.
This week's (wb 02/05/22) update from OPIC EM...
Instrument Statuses
Aquilos Yes this is nearly getting to be as ridiculous as the T12. We suspect that the latest problem is a consequence of overcompensating from the previous stage issues and so hopefully this will be the last fix for freedom! Still awaiting an engineer visit.
Glacios - Please keep those requests coming!
Krios with falcon-4 selectris- Awaiting your booking requests. Everything is up and working well currently, and we have run a few data collections (both single particle and tomography, including tomography on lamellae milled in house) now for users.
->Please do send in your booking requests to embookings@strubi.ox.ac.uk for tomography and single particle projects.
->Remember to include your sample name, grant code, days required (and imaging preferences if you want to be super organised!).
We are currently testing out SerialEM with PACEtomo and can attest to its rapidity.
Independent users...please remember to fill in the cassette log book when you load/unload grids this is useful for accounting which grids go in/out of the microscopes, and helps us keep track of cassette usage. Please also remember to notify the next user what your intentions are if you have left grids on the microscope.
T12 - Still behaving. Remarkable! Still only 3/4 functional detector, however.
GP2 working, but we are still awaiting parts for the chamber window demist-heater-thing, meaning that things do start to get a bit too steamy in the chamber during sample application. There is a delay in the replacement parts unfortunately, and the engineer was unable to provide me with an approximate time frame for receipt.
Vitrobot I is happy, but yes still has the on-screen 'EMPTY' message...this seems to not really be a major problem atm-the humidity is working and fine...seems to be a bizarre bug.
Vitrobot II is happy, but there is a strange 'silent' bug with the blotting prog currently...it keeps adding an extra line for a second blot, which keeps comign back after deletion. However, we have set this to 0s and so should not be an issue for you-just be extra careful that you are changing the blotting parameters for the correct sample.
CHAMELEON-if you are interested in trying out the chameleon over at the RFI to try and resolve your sample prep woes (falling appart complexes, pref orientation), please let us know and we can provide some guidance on how to get a session.
!!!Please remember to book in your plunging sessions whether it be on the vitrobot or GP2 and provide feedback on how the session went in the logbook. It is really important for us to keep track of usage, fund the instruments and minimise disruption when something goes wrong.!!!
Additional items...
CRYOSPARC UPGRADE AND TOPAZ
module load Anaconda3/2021.05 eval "$(conda shell.bash hook)" conda activate /apps/well/topaz/0.2.4 topaz --help
FAQs
-I want to book a microscope, how can I do this?
-How do I book the plungers?
-How can I get trained?
-How can I give feedback on instruments?
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Wishing you all a lovely week!