Imaging Membrane Proteins Across Scales: From Atomic Structures to Native Cellular Architecture

Understanding how membrane proteins function requires imaging approaches that can bridge molecular structure with their organization in native cellular environments. In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to develop and apply cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), and volume electron microscopy to study membrane proteins across spatial scales.

At the molecular level, high-resolution cryo-EM enables visualization of membrane protein structure, conformational states, and molecular interactions. Cryo-ET extends these studies into native membranes, cells, and tissues, where proteins can be examined within their physiological environment. Volume electron microscopy further expands the accessible field of view and provides three-dimensional cellular and tissue context. I will highlight examples from our work integrating these imaging modalities and discuss emerging computational and AI-assisted approaches for identifying and analyzing macromolecular structures within complex biological specimens.