Cryo-soft X-RAY microscopy at nysbc

The Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health Office of the Director awarded The New York Structural Biology Center, Inc., $1.999 million on September 1, 2026, under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859) to acquire a Sirius XT SXT-100 soft X-ray microscope for the Simons Electron Microscopy Center (SEMC).

The SXT-100 will expand SEMC's correlative microscopy capabilities and enable in situ structural biology studies at near-atomic resolution. SEMC currently operates nine Krios microscopes, four Glacios microscopes with direct detectors, and three cryo-focused ion beam microscopes, providing access and training to NIH-funded researchers across North America. The Center is housed at the New York Structural Biology Center, a consortium of nine research institutions in New York State. The acquisition addresses two primary objectives: ensuring NIH-funded researchers nationwide have access to cutting-edge instrumentation and expertise for in situ structural biology, and providing training in state-of-the-art methods to the next generation of biomedical researchers.

Performance occurs in New York, New York with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. The assistance type is Project Grant.

Abstract

The simons electron microscopy center (SEMC) is seeking funding to acquire a siriusxt SXT-100 soft X-RAY microscope, which will significantly enhance and expand the correlative microscopy capabilities available to its users. SEMC provides access to cutting-edge equipment and expert support to the scientific community in new york and throughout north america. The center is housed at the new york structural biology center, a consortium of nine research institutions in new york state. IT boasts an impressive array of state-of-the-art instruments and hosts two NIH-funded centers for access and training in cryoem and in situ tomography. The instrumentation park comprises 9 krios microscopes, 4 glacios microscopes with direct detectors, and 3 cryo-focused ION beam microscopes, enabling both conventional and in situ imaging at near-atomic resolution (where allowed by the sample). The acquisition of the SXT-100 will enhance the center's instruments' capability and capacity, providing exceptional training opportunities for the next generation of biomedical scientists. With a proven track record of managing and maintaining high-end imaging systems, coupled with strong institutional support and a large user base, SEMC is well-positioned to ensure that the instrumentation is utilized to its maximum potential for years to come. The primary objectives of this application are twofold: 1) to ensure that NIH-funded researchers in the region and nationwide have access to the most cutting-edge instrumentation and expertise to perform in situ structural biology studies, and 2) to provide training in state-of-the-art methods to the next generation of biomedical researchers. The requested instrumentation is crucial to the center's overarching mission of ensuring continued access and training to state-of-the-art equipment for NIH- funded researchers' projects. All major and minor users have research projects that would immediately utilize the microscope. Furthermore, SEMC has overseen 950 active projects from 35 states annually for the past three years. Accordingly, the impact of this funding will extend to the broader scientific community as the microscope will be made available to all users of the center.