MicroED: conception, practice and future opportunities

This article documents a keynote seminar presented at the IUCr Congress in Prague, 2021. The cryo-EM method microcrystal electron diffraction is described and put in the context of macromolecular electron crystallography from its origins in 2D crystals of membrane proteins to today's application to 3D crystals a millionth the size of that needed for X-ray crystallography. Milestones in method development and applications are described with an outlook to the future.

Automated summary

This article documents a keynote seminar presented at the IUCr Congress in Prague, 2021, discussing the method of cryo-EM microcrystal electron diffraction and its application in macromolecular electron crystallography. It also provides an outlook on future developments.