Download the cryo-electron tomography datasheet to review the technical specifications for SEMC's tomography-capable instrumentation. This resource outlines system configurations—including specific cryo-ET pixel size calibrations (such as 4Å to 0.8Å on Krios systems), electron energy, and detector types—across our transmission electron microscopes, DualBeam FIB milling systems, and sample preparation equipment.

Download Datasheet

MEMC: Access to the instrumentation is restricted to active users affiliated with a member institution. To register as a user, please follow the steps below:

1. Create an Account: Create a MEMC account for yourself with the following form: MEMC Account Registration. Note: You must create an account from a member institution email address.
    

2. Register Your Project: After creating a new account, register your project by clicking “Add a New Project.”
    

3. Attend New User Orientation: Orientation is offered the first Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please email Dianne Carpen at help@nysbc.org to inquire about future orientation session dates.
    

4. Schedule a Project Meeting: Arrange a meeting with the MEMC staff by emailing memc@nysbc.org and notify your institution’s representative.
    

Non-Krios instrumentation may be booked using our scheduler.

If a Krios microscope is needed, please contact your institutional representative to secure a Krios session.
 

Access through NCCAT: The NIH National Center for CryoEM Access and Training, housed at SEMC, is open to researchers nationwide regardless of member-institution affiliation, free of charge. NCCAT provides access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, including Titan Krios microscopes with direct detectors, specimen-preparation robots, and screening microscopes, backed by direct staff support and cross-training. Time is awarded through an open, competitive proposal process with rolling quarterly cycles, submitted via NCCAT Proposal Central (nccat.nysbc.org/proposalcentral). For help choosing the right access route, contact nccatuseroffice@nysbc.org.

Proposals access categories:

• GUP1 / BAG: Krios single-particle data collection for experienced users with pre-screened grids

• GUP2: staff-assisted sample preparation and screening (Chameleon)

• GUP3 (GPS): grid preparation and screening for groups with limited local access; on-site visits or remote Glacios screening

• TP1: embedded researcher cross-training toward independent cryo-EM practice

• TP2: facility-manager “train-the-trainer” immersion

• Rapid Access (subject to capacity)
   

Access through NCITU: NCITU is one of three National Cryo-EM Service Centers, alongside the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM (PNCC) and the Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center (S²C²). All three centers operate independently, with distinct access categories and independent review cycles. Applicants are welcome to apply to multiple centers simultaneously. For more information, please visit https://www.cryoemcenters.org/.

Training

• We strongly recommend that collaborators and users undergo training on the specific instrumentation required for their project. A tailored training plan with clear dates and goals will be designed during your project meeting. The hands-on training is conducted one-on-one with a staff member during sessions that actively advance the project.
   

• Collaborators are categorized into three levels during the training pipeline: “Requires Assistance,” “Supervision Needed,” or “Independent User.” To be certified as an “Independent User,” two separate staff members must verify your proficiency on the system, which includes earning the instrument’s US CryoEM Center Merit Badge [ß hyperlink to the cryoEM merit badge] where applicable.

MEMC (member/collaborative access) with user resources

Access to the instrumentation is restricted to active users affiliated with a member institution. To register as a user, please follow the steps below:

1. Create an Account: Create a MEMC account for yourself with the following form: MEMC Account Registration. Note: You must create an account from a member institution email address.
    

2. Register Your Project: After creating a new account, register your project by clicking “Add a New Project.”
    

3. Attend New User Orientation: Orientation is offered the first Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please email Dianne Carpen at help[a]nysbc.org to inquire about future orientation session dates.
    

4. Schedule a Project Meeting: Arrange a meeting with the MEMC staff by emailing memc [a] nysbc.org and notify your institution’s representative.
    

Non-Krios instrumentation may be booked using our scheduler.

If a Krios microscope is needed, please contact your institution’s representative to secure a Krios session.

NCITU (lamella prep, CLEM) with user resources

Access through the National Center for In Situ Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) capabilities, including cryo-CLEM support, plunge freezing, and high-pressure freezing, can be requested through a competitive application submitted via the National Network for Cryo-ET portal (cryoetportal.org), free of charge. Users should first meet with the in situ team to define the workflow, determine whether plunge freezing or HPF is appropriate for the specimen, and identify whether the project is best supported as a service, a training opportunity, or a combination of both. NCITU staff provide guidance and hands-on support as needed, with training options designed to build the skills required for independent cryo-ET sample preparation where appropriate.

Training

• We strongly recommend that collaborators undergo training on the specific instrumentation required for their project. A tailored training plan with clear dates and goals will be designed during your project meeting. The hands-on training is conducted one-on-one with a staff member during sessions that actively advance the project.
   

• Collaborators are categorized into three levels during the training pipeline: “Requires Assistance,” “Supervision Needed,” or “Independent User.” To be certified as an “Independent User,” two separate staff members must verify your proficiency on the system, which includes earning the instrument’s US CryoEM Center Merit Badge where applicable.

SEMC Acknowledgement: Any use of the resources at SEMC requires acknowledgement of use of the resources in publications as follows:

“Some of this work was performed at the Simons Electron Microscopy Center at the New York Structural Biology Center, with major support from the Simons Foundation (SF349247).”

NCITU Acknowledgement: The National Center for In-Situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) is one of four service centers that are part of the NIH Common Fund’s Transformative High Resolution Cryoelectron Microscopy (CryoEM) Program and funded under NIH Grant U24GM139171.

The National Network for CryoET will be established with four service centers, including one service center that will also serve as the central network hub. The network hub will be located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and led by Dr. Elizabeth Wright. The network service centers will be located at the New York Structural Biology Center (Dr. Alex de Marco, contact), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory–Stanford University (Dr. Wah Chiu), and the University of Colorado Boulder (Dr. Andreas Hoenger, contact). The service centers will specialize in cryoET specimen preparation. The hub will perform cryoET data collection for all the user laboratories served by the network, in addition to its service center functions.

Standard Acknowledgement: Any use of the resources at NCITU requires acknowledgment of use of the resources in presentations and publications as follows:

“Some of this work was performed at the National Center for In-Situ Tomographic Ultramicroscopy (NCITU) and the Simons Electron Microscopy Center located at the New York Structural Biology Center, supported by the NIH Common Fund Transformative High Resolution Cryo-Electron Microscopy program (U24 GM129539,) and by grants from the Simons Foundation (SF349247) and NY State Assembly.”