Official inauguration of the Glacios cryo-electron microscope, a new state-of-the-art instrument in the South Region!

The AFMB laboratory has acquired a latest generation 200 kV cryo-electron microscope (Glacios 2) as part of the CPER 2021-2027 project entitled “Marseille Cryo-Electron microscopy” (CE2M) and funded by research organizations (CNRS, INSERM, INRAE), Aix-Marseille University, local authorities (Région Sud, CD13, Métropole, Ville de Marseille) and the French State.

This project, worth approximately €3 million, benefited from the major role played by the National Infrastructure for Integrative Structural Biology (FRISBI) in drafting a national roadmap outlining a strategy for implementing this revolutionary technology across the region.

This cutting-edge instrument, unique in the Southern Region, was highly anticipated by the regional scientific community. It will enable imaging-based observation of biological mechanisms through automated analysis of isolated particles at high resolution (ångström) or biological samples using cryo-tomography (nanometer), while benefiting from the rise of artificial intelligence for the prediction of 3D protein structures.

It strengthens the technological capabilities of the electron microscopy service of the Marseille Integrative Structural Biology Platform (PBSIM), accredited by Aix-Marseille, IBiSA, and FRISBI, and is part of a national network bringing together similar instruments recently commissioned in other national and regional centers.

Operational and accessible to users since early May 2024, and awaiting its inauguration on March 28, 2025, this instrument will also be the preferred medium for educational activities, practical workshops, and thematic conferences.

Finally, it will be an essential tool for promoting the appeal of scientists or research teams wishing to develop a life sciences or public health research project incorporating this technology, and strengthening the Luminy site’s reputation.

PBSIM website: PBSIM

Contacts: Yves Bourne, scientific manager of CE2M, and Denis Ptchelkine, manager of the electron microscopy service of PBSIM.