Cryo-EM involves several steps: 1. Sample Preparation: The sample is flash-frozen using liquid ethane or propane, which preserves its native structure. 2. Electron Microscopy: The frozen sample is then exposed to an electron beam within a transmission electron microscope. The electrons interact with the sample, creating an image that can be captured by a detector. 3. Image Processing: The captured images are processed using sophisticated algorithms to reconstruct a three-dimensional structure of the sample. This involves aligning and averaging multiple images to enhance resolution and clarity.
