Leica Microsystems, a leading provider of microscopy and scientific instruments, has introduced the new Coral Cryo workflow solution. The workflow solution enables researchers to increase their success rate in cryo-electron tomography experiments through high precision confocal 3D targeting. Coral Cryo is ready to deploy and supports reproducibility by reducing and optimizing the number of workflow steps, while also minimizing the time required for training. Sample loading and transfer, another important factor for success rates, are improved through sophisticated contamination protection methods.

“Cryo-electron tomography opens a window to understanding molecular sociology,” says Dr. Julia König, R&D Project Manager at Leica Microsystems. “But imaging at sub-nanometer resolution comes with some major challenges, including the need to locate and precisely target your sites of interest. Coral Cryo allows you to access what matters quickly and reproducibly. It can be rapidly deployed in a facility or laboratory thanks to seamless hardware and software interfaces.”

Part of Coral Cryo is workflow-optimized hardware, including cryo-stage and shuttle, as well as a state-of-the-art targeting software, and a variety of seamless integration and transfer options to cryo FIB or VCT stages. The images and coordinates of the targeted structure can then be exported in an open format for the next steps on the electron microscope (EM), so that costly imaging time on the EM itself is greatly reduced.

Coral Cryo forms part of a new family of microscopy workflow solutions from Leica – the Coral family, which already includes Coral Nano, a workflow solution for live cell correlative and electron microscopy (CLEM). These life science workflows are carefully validated and intelligently designed to provide the shortest path to successful deployment and to minimize training effort and the risk of failure. Coral workflow solutions are streamlined end-to-end with clearly defined steps, modules and seamless hardware and software interfaces. On-site workflow validation by Leica experts is also available as an option.

“Deploying a new workflow can be a tedious, time consuming and iterative process,” says James O’Brien, VP Life Sciences at Leica Microsystems. “Our new Coral workflow solutions provide a quick and reliable way to deploy advanced life science research technologies, allowing researchers to reach the next level in their lab with minimal risk and the lowest downstream training effort.”