Cryomicroscopy of cellular and viral architecture

I will describe research in two areas of interest to my laboratoy: (1) electron cryotomography and three-dimensional reconstruction of the thin edge of frozen-hydrated cells to understand cytoskeletal architecture and to understanding the packaging of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in rod-shape granules in endothelial cells called Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs). (2) three-dimensional reconstruction of lipid-enveloped influenza viruses to understand virus assembly and entry into cells during infection. Lastly, I will discuss methods for improving cryomicroscopy images from the molecular to the cellular scale.