Towards in situ high-resolution imaging of viruses and macromolecular complexes using cryo-electron tomography

Cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging are rising and fast-evolving imaging techniques to study biological events, providing structural information at an unprecedented resolution while preserving spatial correlation in their native contexts. The latest technology and methodology development ranging from sample preparation to data collection and data processing, has enabled significant advancement in its applications to various biological systems. This review provides an overview of the current technology development enabling high-resolution structural study in situ, highlighting the use of a priori information of biological samples to assess the quality of subtomogram averaging pipeline. We exemplify the applications of this technique to understanding viruses and principles of macromolecule assembly using different biological systems, ranging from in vitro to in situ samples, which provide structural information at different resolutions and contexts.

Automated summary

Cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging are rapidly evolving imaging techniques that provide unprecedented structural information about biological events at high resolution in their native contexts. This review highlights the current technology development enabling high-resolution structural study in situ, emphasizing the use of a priori information of biological samples to assess the quality of subtomogram averaging pipeline. Examples of the applications of these techniques to understanding viruses and principles of macromolecule assembly using different biological systems are provided, offering structural information at various resolutions and contexts.