Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Baylor College of Medicine received a $184,151 Project Grant award dated August 15, 2026, from the National Science Foundation's Division of Biological Infrastructure under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074). The award supports collaborative research addressing a critical technical challenge in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM): preferred specimen orientation. The research will deliver theoretical and experimental tools to characterize and correct the effects of preferred orientation—a pervasive problem wherein protein specimens adopt limited orientations within vitrified ice, compromising map quality and structural accuracy. The project is scheduled for completion by July 31, 2029.

The deliverables encompass both fundamental research contributions and infrastructure development. The project will establish mathematical frameworks and experimental methodologies to understand and mitigate preferred orientation bias, thereby improving map quality, validation, and structural interpretation across cryo-EM applications. Beyond research outcomes, the initiative addresses multiple NSF broader impact priorities, including STEM education, public engagement, workforce competitiveness, and novel infrastructure development. These tools and findings will enhance the utility and impact of cryo-EM projects at the national and global level by reducing barriers to routine high-resolution protein structure determination.