Correlative cryogenic montage electron tomography for comprehensive in-situ whole-cell structural studies

Abstract

Imaging large fields of view while preserving high-resolution structural information remains a challenge in low-dose cryo-electron tomography. Here, we present robust tools for montage electron tomography tailored for vitrified specimens. The integration of correlative cryo-fluorescence microscopy, focused-ion beam milling, and micropatterning produces contextual three-dimensional architecture of cells. Montage tilt series may be processed in their entirety or as individual tiles suitable for sub-tomogram averaging, enabling efficient data processing and analysis.