Tooluniverse Electron Microscopy

EM resolution determines what you can see. TEM resolves individual protein complexes (~2nm). Cryo-EM achieves near-atomic resolution (<4Å) for large complexes. SEM shows surface topology. Choose the right EM modality for the question.

LOOK UP, DON'T GUESS

When uncertain about any scientific fact, SEARCH databases first rather than reasoning from memory. A database-verified answer is always more reliable than a guess.

COMPUTE, DON'T DESCRIBE

When analysis requires computation (statistics, data processing, scoring, enrichment), write and run Python code via Bash. Don't describe what you would do — execute it and report actual results. Use ToolUniverse tools to retrieve data, then Python (pandas, scipy, statsmodels, matplotlib) to analyze it.

When to Use

Typical triggers:

• "Find cryo-EM structures of [protein/complex]"
• "What EMDB maps are available for [target]?"
• "Get raw micrograph data for [structure]"
• "Find tomography datasets for [organelle/cell type]"
• "What is the resolution of [EMDB entry]?"
• "Cross-reference this EM map with PDB models"
• "Find cryo-ET datasets for [sample]"

Not this skill: For X-ray crystallography or NMR structures, use PDB search tools directly. For protein structure prediction, use tooluniverse-protein-structure.

Core Databases

Workflow Overview

Phase 0: Query Parsing
  Identify target protein/complex, method preference, resolution needs
    |
Phase 1: Map & Image Search (EMDB)
  Find EM density maps, resolution, method, sample details
    |
Phase 2: Structure Fitting (EMDB + PDB)
  Identify fitted atomic models, fitting quality
    |
Phase 3: Raw Data Access (EMPIAR)
  Find raw micrographs, tilt series, particle stacks
    |
Phase 4: Tomography (CryoET Data Portal)
  Search cryo-ET datasets, reconstructed volumes
    |
Phase 5: Cross-Reference & Context (PDB + AlphaFold)
  Connect to atomic models, predicted structures, literature
    |
Phase 6: Report Synthesis
  Integrated EM data landscape for the target

Phase Details

Phase 0: Query Parsing

Identify from the user's request:

• Target: protein name, complex name, or organism
• Method preference: single particle, tomography, micro-ED, helical
• Resolution needs: atomic modeling (<4A), domain fitting (4-8A), shape (>8A)
• Data type: processed maps, raw data, fitted models, or all

Phase 1: Map & Image Search (EMDB)

Objective: Find EM density maps matching the query.

Tools:

• EMDB_search_structures -- search EMDB by keyword, organism, resolution
  • Input: query (search term), optional resolution_min, resolution_max, method, limit
  • Output: entries with EMDB ID, title, resolution, method, sample
• EMDB_get_structure -- get full details for an EMDB entry
  • Input: emdb_id (e.g., "EMD-1234")
  • Output: map details, resolution, sample, processing info, citations
• EMDB_get_map_info -- get map-specific info (resolution, contour, dimensions)
  • Input: emdb_id
• EMDB_get_sample_info -- get sample preparation details
  • Input: emdb_id

Workflow:

1. Search EMDB for the target protein/complex
2. Sort results by resolution (best first)
3. For top entries, get full details including sample preparation and processing
4. Note the EM method used (single particle, tomography, helical, etc.)
5. Record associated PDB and EMPIAR accessions

Resolution interpretation:

• < 2.5A: near-atomic; side chains visible
• 2.5-4.0A: atomic; backbone and large side chains traceable
• 4.0-8.0A: domain level; secondary structure elements visible

• 8.0A: shape; overall architecture only

Phase 2: Structure Fitting (EMDB + PDB)

Objective: Find atomic models fitted into EM maps and assess fitting quality.

Tools:

• EMDB_get_validation -- get fitting/validation data for an EMDB entry
  • Input: emdb_id
  • Output: fitted PDB models, fitting statistics, validation scores
• RCSBData_get_entry -- get PDB entry details
  • Input: entry_id (PDB ID)
  • Output: structure details, resolution, method, citation
• RCSBAdvSearch_search_structures -- advanced PDB search
  • Input: query (search term), optional experimental_method, resolution_max, limit
  • Output: PDB entries matching criteria

Workflow:

1. For each EMDB entry from Phase 1, check for fitted atomic models
2. Get fitting statistics (cross-correlation, real-space R-factor if available)
3. Retrieve the PDB entry for structural details
4. If no model is fitted, search PDB for related structures by name

Fitting quality indicators:

• Cross-correlation coefficient > 0.7 suggests reasonable fit
• Multiple independently fitted models increase confidence
• Map-model FSC consistency check validates the fit

Phase 3: Raw Data Access (EMPIAR)

Objective: Locate raw micrograph data for potential reprocessing.

Tools:

• EMPIAR_search_entries -- search EMPIAR archive
  • Input: query (search term), optional limit
  • Output: entries with EMPIAR ID, title, data type, size
• EMPIAR_get_entry -- get detailed entry information
  • Input: empiar_id (e.g., "EMPIAR-10028")
  • Output: data description, file formats, associated EMDB entries, download links

Workflow:

1. Search EMPIAR for entries related to the target
2. Cross-reference with EMDB entries found in Phase 1 (many EMDB entries link to EMPIAR)
3. Note data types: micrographs, particle stacks, tilt series, gain references
4. Record dataset size (can be 100s of GB to TBs)

Data types in EMPIAR:

• Micrographs: raw detector frames or motion-corrected images
• Particle stacks: extracted particle images
• Tilt series: serial images at different tilt angles (for tomography)
• Reconstructed volumes: 3D volumes from tomographic reconstruction

Phase 4: Tomography (CryoET Data Portal)

Objective: Find cryo-electron tomography datasets for cellular and in-situ structural biology.

Tools:

• CryoET_list_datasets -- search CryoET Data Portal
  • Input: query (search term), optional organism, limit
  • Output: datasets with ID, title, organism, sample type
• CryoET_get_dataset -- get dataset details
  • Input: dataset_id
  • Output: sample details, tilt series parameters, tomogram info
• CryoET_list_runs -- search individual tomography runs
  • Input: dataset_id or query, optional limit
  • Output: run details, tilt parameters, voxel spacing

Workflow:

1. Search CryoET Data Portal for the target organism/structure
2. Get dataset details including sample preparation and imaging parameters
3. Explore individual runs for tilt series specifications
4. Note voxel spacing and tomogram dimensions

Tomography vs single particle: Tomography preserves cellular context (in situ) but typically achieves lower resolution. Single particle gives higher resolution but requires purified samples.

Phase 5: Cross-Reference & Context

Objective: Connect EM data to broader structural biology context.

Tools:

• alphafold_get_prediction -- get AlphaFold predicted structure
  • Input: qualifier (UniProt accession)
  • Output: predicted structure coordinates, confidence scores (pLDDT)
• PubMed_search_articles -- find publications describing the EM work
  • Input: query (search term), optional limit
  • Output: articles with title, abstract, PMID

Workflow:

1. For proteins with EM structures, get AlphaFold predictions for comparison
2. Note regions where AlphaFold confidence is low (pLDDT < 70) -- these may be flexible and harder to resolve by EM
3. Search PubMed for methodological papers and biological insights from the EM studies
4. Cross-reference EMDB/PDB/EMPIAR accessions in publications

Phase 6: Interpretation & Recommendations

Don't just list maps — help the user choose the RIGHT map for their purpose.

Decision matrix: Which map should I use?

Quality assessment checklist:

• Resolution reported is the "gold standard" FSC 0.143 cutoff? (some older entries use 0.5 cutoff — inflates resolution)
• Map sharpened appropriately? (over-sharpened maps can look better but contain artifacts)
• Fitting statistics available? (cross-correlation > 0.7 is acceptable)
• Multiple maps from same sample? (suggests conformational heterogeneity — important for drug design)

Resolution trend analysis: If multiple maps exist over time, note the resolution trajectory. Improvement from 6A (2015) to 2.8A (2023) suggests the sample is amenable to high-resolution single particle analysis with modern hardware.

Phase 7: Report Synthesis

Assemble findings into an actionable report:

1. Target Overview -- protein/complex identity, biological significance
2. EM Map Landscape -- available maps with resolution, method, and year
3. Best Available Structures -- highest resolution maps with fitted models, with quality assessment
4. Recommendation -- which specific map/model to use for the user's purpose (with reasoning)
5. Raw Data Availability -- EMPIAR datasets for reprocessing, with dataset sizes
6. Tomography Data -- cellular context datasets if available
7. Structural Context -- comparison with X-ray/NMR/AlphaFold structures
8. Key Publications -- methods papers, biological discoveries
9. Data Gaps -- missing conformational states, unresolved regions, need for higher resolution

Common Analysis Patterns

Edge Cases & Fallbacks

• No EMDB entries: The complex may only have X-ray or NMR structures. Search PDB via RCSBAdvSearch_search_structures with method filter
• EMDB entry without PDB model: Common for lower-resolution maps. Note the gap; suggest AlphaFold for approximate modeling
• No EMPIAR data: Raw data deposition is newer and not universal. The processed map in EMDB may be the only available data
• Large complexes: Ribosomes, viruses, etc. may have hundreds of EMDB entries. Use resolution filters to narrow results

Limitations

• No map visualization: This skill retrieves metadata and statistics, not 3D renderings. Use UCSF ChimeraX or IMOD for visualization
• No reprocessing: Finding raw data is supported; actual cryo-EM data processing requires specialized software (RELION, cryoSPARC)
• Resolution is not accuracy: A 3A map processed with errors may be less reliable than a well-validated 4A map. Fitting statistics matter
• Deposition lag: Structures may be published months before EMDB deposition, or vice versa