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Tundra Cryo-TEM Components

The standard configuration for the Thermo Scientific Tundra Cryo-TEM includes the Thermo Scientific Ceta F CMOS Camera, which is equipped with a dose-fractionation mode and offloading functionality for high-resolution protein reconstruction. Acquisition of dose-fractions can reduce the sample drift and motion caused by beam induced movement. The Tundra Cryo-TEM can also be configurated with the Thermo Scientific Falcon C Direct Electron Detector, designed specifically for this platform. It provides higher resolution capabilities than the Ceta F CMOS Camera, with a unique combination of high image quality, high throughput, and efficient lossless data compression through electron-event representation (EER).

Falcon C Direct Electron Detector 

The Falcon C Direct Electron Detector, designed for the Tundra Cryo-TEM, enables you to obtain high-resolution structures to reveal new biological insights at 100 kV. The Falcon C DED provides higher resolution capabilities than the Ceta F CMOS Detector, offering a unique combination of high image quality, high throughput, and efficient lossless data compression enabled via electron-event representation (EER), providing a powerful productivity and performance boost.

 

2.1 Å, Apoferritin (~500 kDa)
 

  • Number of images: 5,418
  • Number of particles: 249,808 (octahedral)
  • Acquisition time: 18 hrs
  • Detector: Falcon C

2.7 Å, T20S Proteasome (~700 kDa)

  • Number of images: 11,819
  • Number of particles: 184,727 (D7)
  • Acquisition time: 38 hrs
  • Detector: Falcon C

3.5 Å, Transthyretin Receptor (55 kDa)

  • Number of images: 10,137
  • Number of particles: 131,895 (D2)
  • Acquisition time: 38 hrs
  • Detector: Falcon C

Falcon C Direct Electron Detector Features

Outstanding image quality through higher DQE

Get outstanding detective quantum efficiency (DQE), especially in the low resolution spatial frequency range. High DQE at low spatial frequency lets you visualize and align smaller and more flexible proteins– achieve results with fewer images or increased resolution.

Large pixels with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

The large signal generated by the Falcon C Detector’s large pixels, combined with low noise, yields high SNR – electron events can be unambiguously separated from the background noise (left) in comparison to detectors with smaller pixels (right).

High throughput for more images per hour

The fast internal frame rate (250 fps) allows reasonable flux in electron counting mode (3-12 e-/pixel/second) and, in combination with improved overhead, yields a high throughput data collection.

Lossless data compression with electron-event representation (EER)

Electron-event representation (EER) data enables efficient cryo-EM file storage with full preservation of spatial and temporal resolution. Counted events of all raw frames are available for processing with full temporal resolution (240 fps) and spatial resolution (super resolution up to 4k x 4k). This super-resolution capability maximizes the benefit of the Falcon C Detector’s superior DQE at high spatial frequencies.

Representation of full temporal resoution

Falcon C Direct Electron Detector Specifications

 Camera architecture

Direct electron detection

Sensor size

2,048 x 2,048 pixels, 5.7 x 5.7 cm2

Pixel size

28 x 28 μm2

TEM Operating voltage

100 kV

Internal frame rate

250 fps

Frame rate to storage

240 fps (EER mode)

Camera overhead time

0.5 s per acquisition

File formats

EER (native), MRC as integrated image

Detection modes

Electron counting mode

Survey mode (fast linear mode)

Automation

Integrated in Tundra software (including EPU)

Imaging performance in EER mode1

100kV

DQE(0)

DQE(½ Nyquist)

DQE(1 Nyquist)

≥ 0.95

≥ 0.55

≥ 0.2

Ceta-F CMOS Camera

The Ceta-F Camera is a scintillator-based camera optimized for low-dose imaging for sensitive samples. It is ideal for working with dose-sensitive materials, such as proteins embedded in vitreous ice. The camera’s large field of view (4k x 4k), in combination with integration mode, allows fast sample screening and data collection. To better facilitate cryo-EM applications, dose fractions are stored, which allows further image quality improvement during the 3D reconstruction. Optimizations, such as motion correction and radiation damage compensation, can be applied to the fractions. High-resolution 3D reconstructions, especially for large (>200kDa) and symmetric protein complexes, are possible.

2.6 Å Apoferritin (~500 kDa)
 

  • Number of images: 1,510
  • Number of particles: 165,082 (octahedral)
  • Acquisition time: 6 hrs
  • Detector: Ceta-F CMOS

* non-AFIS mode

3.0 Å, T20S Proteasome (~700 kDa)

  • Number of images: 5,176
  • Number of particles: 183,486 (D7)
  • Acquisition time*: 56 hrs
  • Detector: Ceta-F CMOS

3.0 Å, AAV6 (~3.7 MDa)

  • Number of images: 5,058
  • Number of particles: 46,646 (Icosahedral)
  • Acquisition time: 17 hrs
  • Detector: Ceta-F CMOS

Aberration-free image shift

Aberration-free image shift (AFIS) functionality uses image beam shifts, which are instant and stable. AFIS saves time by eliminating the need to perform mechanical stage movement and stabilization. AFIS accelerates the data collection 4x, from approximately 80 images/hour to 320 images/hour. Both the Falcon C and Ceta-F CMOS detectors for the Tundra Cryo-TEM work with AFIS mode.

Cryo-EM Software

Our cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy software enhances the capabilities of this powerful imaging technique, helping you achieve insights into the structure and function of a wide range of targets. 

CryoFlow Software

Thermo Scientific CryoFlow Software, our paperless cryo-EM data management solution, optimizes cryo-EM workflows by helping you generate protein structures using single particle analysis (SPA) and perform cellular structural analysis using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Its modular organization provides a single convenient location to track experiments through individual steps in SPA and cryo-ET workflows.

CryoFlow Software

Smart EPU Software

The Tundra Cryo-TEM comes with a complete suite of automation software for the efficient optimization of your sample’s biochemistry and determination of its structure. This includes user-friendly single particle data acquisition software, Thermo Scientific EPU Software, which offers guided day-to-day operation, a traffic light UI element that indicates the microscope’s status, and predefined templates for typical use cases that allow you to begin collecting high-resolution data with only a few clicks. Smart EPU Software, an AI-enabled software solution, is capable of analyzing intermediate results, providing instant feedback, and steering data collection on the fly. The AI algorithms are based on years of cryo-EM knowledge, designed to replace decisions that experts need to make upfront and ensure that your instrument is working at optimal conditions, allowing you to focus on the science rather than on fine-tuning the microscope.

EPU Software user interface

The embedded traffic light UI element indicates the microscope’s status. Predefined templates for typical use cases allow you to begin collecting high-resolution data with only a few clicks.

AI-enabled software

Smart EPU Software’s automation and AI-driven plugins guide the user through critical decision points and, in some cases, make decisions automatically, reducing the need for manual user intervention.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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