Difficulties associated with using X-ray crystallography for structural studies of large
macromolecular complexes have made single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) a
key technique in structural biology. The efficient application of the single particle cryoEM
approach requires the sample to be vitrified within the holes of carbon films, with particles
well dispersed throughout the ice and adopting multiple orientations. To achieve this, the
carbon support film is first hydrophilised by glow discharge, which allows the sample to …