Jürgen Plitzko

Research Group CryoEM Technology

Cryo-Electron Tomography, Focused Ion Beam Milling, correlated light microscopy, in situ Structural Biology, visual Proteomics

Research in Jürgen Plitzko's group focuses on the development and application of innovative tools and technologies in cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and in particular cryo-electron tomography (cryoET). To make cryoET methodology more practical, all steps of this still technically challenging workflow, from sample preparation to imaging and final data processing, need to be included and further improved. Yet, to bridge the gap between molecular and cellular structural biology, emphasis is given on developing appropriate targeting and preparation methods for frozen-hydrated samples. Besides isolated cells, larger samples such as tissues need to be made accessible for a "biopsy at the nanoscale" so that "in situ" visual proteomics can be made possible.