CryoWriter: A Robotic Solution for Improved Cryo-EM Grid Preparation

Abstract

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure determination relies on preparing thin, vitreous films of sample solution on EM grids. Cryo-EM is a mature technology, but preparing the grids remains a major bottleneck. Here, we evaluate the cryoWriter, a blotting-free, microfluidic grid-preparation robot that writes nanoliter volumes onto EM grids in a controlled environment. Using capillary-writing in spiral or line patterns, we prepared high-quality grids from minimal sample volumes and obtained near-atomic reconstructions for test specimens, including TMV, apoferritin, and the membrane protein TRPM4. We further demonstrate programmable deposition modes, such as writing the sample twice to boost particle density, or two-line writing for on-grid mixing to visualize time-resolved protein-ligand binding. In a challenging case (NrS-1 DNA polymerase), the cryoWriter grids exhibited reduced orientation bias relative to conventional blotting, enabling a more isotropic reconstruction. These results show that the cryoWriter provides a versatile platform for reproducible low volume cryo-EM grid preparation and for on-grid biochemical workflows.