Overcoming air–water interface-induced artifacts in cryo-EM with protein nanocrates

TL;DR - Researchers use MS2 bacteriophage-derived protein “nanocrates” to encapsulate target proteins and reduce air–water interface artifacts during cryo-EM structure determination. This approach enables more random particle orientations, potentially improving structural reconstruction.

• Nanocrates are protein shells derived from MS2 bacteriophages.
• Encapsulation protects target proteins from air–water interface-induced artifacts.
• The method promotes random protein orientations at the interface.
• More diverse orientations can support more reliable cryo-EM structure determination.