CryoTomo Software Suite

An integrated software solution for cryo-electron tomography

Designed to bring a highly efficient cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) workflow to both new and experienced users, the Thermo Scientific CryoTomo Software Suite provides a collection of integrated tools that streamline tilt series acquisition and 3D analysis. Available for Thermo Scientific cryo-transmission electron microscopes (cryo-TEMs), the suite is powered by Thermo Scientific Tomography 5 and Tomo Live Software with multigrid support, along with tools for advanced motion correction, navigation, and data management.

CryoTomo Software Suite features

Unlock the full potential of cryo-electron tomography

Explore the advanced tools and features of the CryoTomo Software Suite, which work together to accelerate scheduling, data acquisition, and 3D data analysis in cryo-electron tomography workflows.

Acquire data more efficiently with user-friendly Tomography 5 Software, enabling 3D batch acquisition and advanced motion correction for beginners and advanced users alike.

 

Features include:

Automatic cassette mapping

Maps up to 12 grids in the Autoloader using low-magnification tile sets for rapid, unsupervised grid assessment and cryo-lamella screening. Atlases enable easy selection of sites for high-magnification imaging.

Automatic Search Map acquisition

Medium-magnification tile sets collect automatically over grid squares or lamellae to identify areas of interest for multisite tilt-series acquisition. Defined on atlases and queued for unattended collection.

Automatic multishot acquisition

Capture multiple images per tilt with minimal stage movement to speed up batch tomography. Select regions of interest from Search Maps and queue tomograms for automated acquisition, maximizing efficiency.

Multiple direct electron detector output options

Falcon 4i enables real-time motion correction with flexible 4k or 8k tilt-series output. Use 4k for efficient data handling or 8k for high-resolution needs like sub-tomogram averaging and can be optimized for diverse imaging goals.

Selectris Imaging Filter

The Thermo Scientific Selectris X Imaging Filter helps enhance contrast and resolution through zero-loss filtering (i.e. the removal of inelastically scattered electrons) for a substantially improved signal-to-noise ratio.

The addition of multigrid support maximizes the benefits of task parallelization, providing unsupervised data acquisition for multiple grids.

 

Features include:

Task parallelization

Queue new acquisitions while atlases or Search Maps are still recording, and mark tilt-series positions during ongoing runs. This parallel workflow reduces wait times and maximizes microscope efficiency.

Multi-batch tomography

Start batch acquisition as soon as a position is defined, then continue setup across multiple grids using pre-recorded Search Maps. After grid exchange, targets are accurately re-located for seamless 3D data collection.

Evaluate sample quality with novel tools for parameter-free, on-the-fly reconstruction and visualization of tomograms.

 

Features include:

Tomo Live Software

Tomo Live performs real-time motion correction, fiducial-free alignment, and 3D reconstruction during tilt-series acquisition. Instantly evaluate data quality and export pre-processed tomograms for further analysis in common cryo-EM tools.

 

Tomo Live Software runs on the microscope’s Data Management Platform server, and the user interface is integrated in the Thermo Scientific CryoFlow Software portal. 

Discovery Viewer

Visualize and analyze large datasets with Discovery Viewer. Link tomograms to their grid positions and easily compare sample areas to explore cellular context with intuitive navigation.

CryoTomo Software Suite applications

In situ cryo-electron tomography with optimized motion correction

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 80S ribosome density map, derived by subtomogram averaging of 130k particles extracted from 250 cellular tomograms. The full spatial and temporal resolution of the EER format (8k x 8k data) allowed an improved resolution to be achieved, as compared to 4k x 4k data with a pixel size of 1.96 Å.

Cryo-ET reveals organelle structures at the molecular level

In-situ tomogram from a Chlamydomonas cell with 3D visualization of the mitochondria membrane (red), ATP synthase (yellow), and ribosomes (cyan). Illustration by Jessica Heebner.

Tomo Live Software testimonials

"We use Tomo Live Software to reconstruct our tomograms on the fly and quickly assess whether to continue with the acquisition at this point in the sample. This is useful for our work on actin networks, which are not visible on lamellas. It also allows us to quickly and easily select the tomograms on which we are going to concentrate for subsequent data analysis."

 

Marion Jasnin

Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, Helmholtz Munich 

“We run Tomo Live on all of our cryo ET sessions at DCI Geneva. Being able to automatically generate and inspect tomograms within minutes of acquiring tilt series data gives invaluable feedback on sample quality. It helps researchers rapidly confirm whether their target is present and if the sample is suitable for further data collection, as well as to evaluate collected datasets to identify the best tomograms for further analysis. We also find that Tomo Live is an especially helpful tool when training new facility users in tomography data collection.”

 

Andrew Howe

University of Geneva, Switzerland

Additional resources

Featured Webinar: Facilitating Access to the Cryo-ET Workflow with CryoTomo Software Suite

Explore how Tomography 5 and Tomo Live Software can significantly enhance your cryo-electron tomography workflows, from data acquisition to real-time analysis. This session is designed for professionals familiar with cryo-EM who want to enhance their data acquisition and processing workflows.

Additional webinars and tutorials

Latest software updates to cryo-electron microscopy software

What’s new in the CryoTomo Software Suite?

Stay up to date with cryo-ET software updates

Release management

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a constant stream of software improvements and updates, ensuring you can achieve your goals as quickly and easily as possible. 

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