The Thermo Scientific Glacios Cryo Transmission Electron Microscope (Cryo-TEM) delivers a complete cryo-EM solution to a broad range of scientists. It features 200 kV XFEG optics, the industry-leading Autoloader (cryogenic sample manipulation robot), and the same innovative automation for ease of use as on the Krios G4 Cryo-TEM. The Glacios Cryo-TEM bundles all this into a small footprint that simplifies installation.
The designed-in connectivity ensures a robust and contamination-free pathway throughout the entire workflow, from sample preparation and optimization to image acquisition and data processing. The Glacios Cryo-TEM can be used in a single particle analysis (SPA) workflow for pre-optimization of sample quality, as well as for high-resolution SPA data acquisition. Furthermore, the Glacios Cryo-TEM can also be configured with a Direct Electron Detector and/or Volta Phase Plate to be a complete standalone SPA data acquisition solution.
“The Glacios cryo-TEM has been a catalyst for our protein research in Halle, Germany. Due to its compact hardware architecture, we minimized our efforts for room renovations that are required to meet the environmental specifications essential for stable microscope performance. The optics of Glacios, in combination with the Falcon 3EC camera and the associated software, EPU, provides a fine platform for optimizing our samples.
However, we have realized that the Glacios has a surprisingly high-end optical performance: In our recent work , we demonstrated that, using Glacios, we are capable of resolving protein structures at near-atomic resolution. It provides an affordable, integrated option for in-house high-resolution structural biology.”
Panagiotis L. Kastritis, PhD, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
"In our lab at the University of Washington, we are equipped with a couple of autoloader systems, Glacios and Krios. The Glacios is primarily used as a microscope for optimizing cryo-EM grids to identify the perfect grids for high-resolution data collection on the Krios. We are very happy with the performance of our Glacios and routinely obtain structures near 3Å resolution, which gives us a good indication of sample quality."
Justin Kollman, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Designed for stability and speed, the Thermo Scientific Selectris and Selectris X Imaging Filters are post-column imaging filters that improve the contrast of TEM images, resulting in high-resolution structures up to atomic resolution. Paired with the latest generation Thermo Scientific Falcon 4i Direct Electron Detector, Selectris Filters enable you to obtain high-resolution structures quickly, revealing new biological insights. To further increase the productivity and ease-of-use of your cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) research, these filters are fully integrated into Thermo Scientific EPU Software, Thermo Scientific Tomography Software, and instrument operation software. The Selectris and Selectris X Imaging Filters are available on Thermo Scientific Krios and Glacios Cryo-TEMs.
Human hemoglobin collected on Glacios Cryo-TEM with Selectris X Imaging Filter resolved at 3.4 A.
Small footprint
The new hardware architecture of the Glacios has been specifically designed to address the need for a smaller footprint and easier access path. In many cases, this design avoids the additional investment and unwanted lab downtime for significant modifications to an existing infrastructure or the need for a purposely-built lab.
Enhanced ease of use through automation
The Glacios Cryo-TEM reduces the number of complex alignments that a user has to perform. For recurring alignments that need to be done regularly, automated alignment routines have been implemented into the EPU software for SPA. Furthermore, the EPU user interface has been further streamlined to provide comprehensive user guidance.
Reproducible, optimal tool performance always guaranteed
The optimal thermal and mechanical stability of the Glacios Cryo-TEM ensures perfect optical performance. The instrument features a self-assessment function that automatically evaluates the optical status of the microscope, providing feedback for any steps that require optimization. Additionally, automated alignment routines allow the instrument to be tuned to its optimal starting point for SPA or tomography experiments.
Maximum throughput
Optional EPU Multigrid functionality allows data collection for up to 12 grids to be completed overnight without user attendance by queuing multiple automatic EPU sessions for different grids in the Autoloader.
With Thermo Scientific EPU Data Management Software powered by Athena, users can automatically sort the camera’s output, allowing for easy organization of large datasets and streamlined interfacing with the image processing system.
Optional EPU Quality Monitor Software performs on-the-fly preprocessing for motion correction and CTF estimation, including derived parameters, during the actual acquisition process, so users can judge the quality of the acquired data and optimize the data acquisition while it is happening. The combination of EPU 2, EPU Quality Monitor, and Data Management software helps users generate high-quality results quickly, confidently, and with the same ease of use that EPU is known for.
Workflow connectivity
For successful cryo-EM data acquisition, optimization of both biochemistry and vitrification requires an efficient optimization process. The Glacios Cryo-TEM is designed to be integrated in a SPA workflow – it can be used for sample evaluation and optimization, before high-resolution data acquisition. The data acquisition can occur directly on the Glacios Cryo-TEM, or in a Krios or Arctica Cryo-TEM – after sample transfer.
The Autoloader capsule and cassette systems ensure a robust and contamination-free transfer of samples between Glacios, Arcita and Krios Cryo-TEMs, without the need for manipulation of individual small grids.
Source | |
Accelerating voltage | |
Cryo-Autoloader | |
Software | |
Lenses | |
Stages | |
Imaging | |
Pole piece gap | |
Structural components | |
Cameras | |
Installation requirement highlights | |
Detectors (optional) | |
Filters | |
Software (optional) | |
Service package | |
Other options | |
Operating system |
Infectious Disease Research
Cryo-EM techniques enable multiscale observations of 3D biological structures in their near-native states, informing faster, more efficient development of therapeutics.
Drug Discovery
Learn how to take advantage of rational drug design for many major drug target classes, leading to best-in-class drugs.
Structural Biology Research
Cryo-electron microscopy enables the structural analysis of challenging biological targets such as large complexes, flexible species and membrane protein.
Neurodegenerative Disease Research
Cryo-EM can determine the structural features of protein aggregates implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, allowing scientists to address how they form, interact with the cellular environment, and alter brain function.
Cryo-Tomography
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) delivers both structural information about individual proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. This makes it a truly unique technique and also explains why the method has such an enormous potential for cell biology. Cryo-ET can bridge the gap between light microscopy and near-atomic-resolution techniques like single-particle analysis.
Single Particle Analysis
Single particle analysis (SPA) is a cryo-electron microscopy technique that enables structural characterization at near-atomic resolutions, unraveling dynamic biological processes and the structure of biomolecular complexes/assemblies.
MicroED
MicroED is an exciting new technique with applications in the structural determination of small molecules and protein. With this method, atomic details can be extracted from individual nanocrystals (<200 nm in size), even in a heterogeneous mixture.
Cryo-Tomography
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) delivers both structural information about individual proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. This makes it a truly unique technique and also explains why the method has such an enormous potential for cell biology. Cryo-ET can bridge the gap between light microscopy and near-atomic-resolution techniques like single-particle analysis.
Single Particle Analysis
Single particle analysis (SPA) is a cryo-electron microscopy technique that enables structural characterization at near-atomic resolutions, unraveling dynamic biological processes and the structure of biomolecular complexes/assemblies.
MicroED
MicroED is an exciting new technique with applications in the structural determination of small molecules and protein. With this method, atomic details can be extracted from individual nanocrystals (<200 nm in size), even in a heterogeneous mixture.

Electron microscopy services for
the life sciences
To ensure optimal system performance, we provide you access to a world-class network of field service experts, technical support, and certified spare parts.
