Four new electron microscopes have arrived at the University of Szeged’s research center, including two equipped with state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy technology. The new instrument platform will enable researchers to visualize viruses, proteins, and a wide range of nanoscale materials with unprecedented precision – down to atomic resolution.
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been one of the most significant breakthroughs in structural biology over the past decade, and its development was recognized with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Cryo-EM platforms allow researchers to study biological molecules in a state that closely reflects their natural conditions within living systems.
“Below a certain scale, conventional light microscopes can no longer capture fine detail. Electron microscopes, however, use electrons instead of light, making it possible to visualize much smaller structures – even complex molecular assemblies,” said laboratory head Péter Bélteky.
A frozen moment in the world of molecules
What makes cryo-electron microscopy so remarkable is that samples are cooled extremely rapidly to nearly –196 °C. This rapid freezing prevents the formation of ice crystals, allowing biomolecules to preserve their native structure.
“It is like freezing a single moment of life,” the researcher explained. “The molecules remain preserved in the very state in which they function in nature, allowing us to understand their behavior much more accurately.” This capability is particularly valuable in virus research, where the method can reveal viral structures in extraordinary detail, including the proteins involved in binding to host cells. Work of this kind also contributed to a deeper understanding of the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic.
A powerful tool for drug development and disease research
When researchers can visualize the three-dimensional structure of a biomolecule – such as a protein – in high resolution, they are better able to understand how other molecules, including drug compounds, interact with it.
“Many medicines work by binding to a specific molecule in the body. If we know the exact structure of that molecule, we can investigate whether a potential drug can form the same interaction,” said Péter Bélteky.
Cryo-electron microscopy may also play a key role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. Conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are closely associated with the formation of protein aggregates, or plaques. By capturing these structures in extraordinary detail, the method can help researchers understand how they form and how they contribute to disease progression.
Advancing materials science
The researchers believe that SZTE’s new electron microscopes could have a major impact not only on biomedical research but also on materials science. Exploring structures at the nanoscale may accelerate the development of new batteries, advanced coatings, and nanoparticles with unique properties. This level of insight is essential, as key characteristics such as conductivity, stability, and reactivity are often determined by nanoscale architecture. As a result, electron microscopy can contribute to more efficient energy storage technologies, innovative sensors, and a new generation of industrial materials.
Four advanced microscopes in one research center
A total of four electron microscopes will be available to researchers at the Szeged research center. Of these, two of the new instruments – the Tundra and the Glacios 2 – are cryo-electron microscopes designed primarily for studying the structure of biological molecules such as proteins, as well as microbes and cells. In practice, researchers typically begin by using one instrument to assess sample quality, before moving to the other to collect the high-resolution data needed to build three-dimensional molecular models.
The new instrument suite also features a Talos F200i transmission electron microscope and an Apreo 2S scanning electron microscope. Both are especially valuable for materials science research, from investigating nanoparticles and novel functional materials to analyzing the structure of advanced batteries.
“Nanoscale structures are present in almost every aspect of modern life – from electronic devices and batteries to coatings and even sunscreens,” Péter Bélteky said. “Understanding their structure is the key to using these materials safely and effectively.”
Szeged as a future regional research center
Until now, cryo-electron microscopy has not been available in Hungary, meaning that many Hungarian researchers have had to turn to laboratories abroad for this kind of work. The new center is set to change that. In the years ahead, it is expected to serve not only researchers in Szeged, but also to become a major hub for national and international collaboration.
Beyond accelerating scientific discovery, the researchers believe the new instrument platform could create new opportunities for industrial partnerships, including projects in drug development and materials science. In this way, it may help position Szeged as a center of excellence in advanced microscopy, high-impact research, and innovation.
Source: SZTEinfo
Photos by Anna Bobkó
