Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, OHSU School of Medicine explains how the cryo-EM microscope operates. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Cryo-EM can provide three-dimensional structural information on biological molecules with near atomic-level resolution detail. This technology has opened the doors for researchers to visualize many new types of biomolecules that have escaped detection by traditional methods (such as membrane proteins and receptors). Membrane proteins represent 50 percent of the market currently targeted by drug developers, and will be an area of specialization at the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM Center. (Image courtesy Steve Reichow, Ph.D.)

The cryo-EM microscope (left) produces 'near-atomic' images by shooting a beam of electrons into a sample instead of visible light. Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, OHSU School of Medicine looks over a display from a cryo-EM microscope, May 2, 2018 at OHSU. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

James Evans, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington. 
(Photo courtesy James Evans)

Michael Chapman, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the OHSU School of Medicine. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, OHSU School of Medicine looks over a display from a cryo-EM microscope at OHSU. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Researchers at OHSU who work with cryo-electron microscopy (left to right): Michael Chapman, Ph.D., Claudia Lopez, Ph.D., Steve Reichow, Ph.D., Eric Gouaux, Ph.D., and Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D. Four more of these powerful scopes will be installed on the OHSU campus, creating the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM. OHSU, in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been named one of three new national centers for cryo-electron microscopy. The National Institutes of Health is investing $128 million to establish all three of the centers. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Michael Chapman, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the OHSU School of Medicine, looks inside a cryo-EM microscope at OHSU. Four more of these powerful scopes will be installed on the OHSU campus, creating the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Craig Yoshioka, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, OHSU School of Medicine explains how the cryo-EM microscope operates.(OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Volunteers Leslie Corless (left) and Elona Dellabough-Gormley prepare for a shift at the Portland People's Outreach Project in Portland. This mobile program serves the drug-using community, offering harm reduction and meeting people where they are--emotionally, physically and geographically. Dellabough-Gormley is a registered nurse who extends her commitment to lessen suffering, by volunteering twice a week at area needle exchange programs. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)