Instruct-ERIC Events

In situ Cryo-ET Workshop September/October 2026

Training

Date: 28-Sep-2026 to 02-Oct-2026

In situ Cryo-ET Workshop 2026 is part of the Wellcome/MRC-funded cryo-EM training programme. The course is aimed at students, and postdoctoral researchers who plan to use cryo-electron microscopy in their structural biology research and have little or no prior hands-on experience.

The course provides a comprehensive introduction to in situ cryo-electron tomography, combining theoretical lectures with hands-on practical training. Participants will gain experience across the complete in-situ cryo-ET workflow, from sample preparation and cryo-grid screening through cryo-FIB milling, lamella preparation and cryo-ET data collection to an introduction to image processing and subtomogram averaging. This knowledge will provide a strong foundation for applying in situ cryo-ET to biological research.

Course format and structure
The course will run over five days in a hybrid format.

Lectures will be broadcast live via Zoom throughout the week and will be open to the wider cryo-EM community. Selected participants will attend the course in person at either Harwell Campus (Diamond Light Source) or the Astbury Biostructure Laboratory (University of Leeds), where they will take part in hands-on practical sessions alongside the lectures.

Accommodation in a budget hotel for the duration of the course will be provided. Financial support is also available for participants with limited access to funding, including reimbursement of travel expenses of up to £400. Any expenses exceeding these amounts will need to be covered by the participant.

Schedule:

• Day 1: Theory and hands-on training in cryo-ET sample preparation.
• Day 2: Theory and practical training in cryo-ET grid screening and tilt-series data collection on Titan Krios microscope.
• Days 3: Introduction to correlative cryo-EM workflows and cryo-FIB milling for tomography, followed by practical sessions in cryo-fluorescence microscopy and lamella preparation.
• Day 4: Continued hands-on training in cryo-fluorescence microscopy and lamella preparation using cryo-FIB-SEM.
• Day 5: Introduction to cryo-ET image processing and subtomogram averaging, with practical demonstrations of the data processing workflow.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Master’s student, PhD student, or postdoctoral researcher who is new to the field and plans to use cryo-ET as part of their research. Applications from early-career researchers are also welcome, however, priority will be given to the students and postdoctoral researchers.
• Have access to cryo-EM instrumentation at their home institution or through a local facility, or have clear plans to secure such access in the near future.

Organisers
The course is organised by The Astbury Biostructure Laboratory (University of Leeds) in collaboration with eBIC (Diamond Light Source).

Please contact EMcourses@leeds.ac.uk for more information.

Course details
Course dates: 28th September – 2nd October 2026

Format: Hybrid (online lectures and in-person hands-on training)

Application for in-person participation (application deadline July 19th).

Registration for online lectures only (registration deadline September 25th).

Before beginning the application process, please prepare the following documents to upload to the application page:

A cover letter describing your background, motivation for applying for the course and how this will benefit your institute and your research. Please also describe your current role/position, any access routes for instrumentation and your plans for using cryo-ET and FIB lamella preparation (max. 4000 characters)
A letter of support from your manager or supervisor (max. 4000 characters)

For more information, see here.