Thermo Fisher uses artificial intelligence to develop Cryo-EM

Thermo Fisher Scientific is developing a new high-powered microscope designed exclusively for research on drug discovery, followed by an automated tool system that will help to capture pictures at high atomic resolution.

Thermo Fisher claims to be the market leader in serving science and innovating new techniques and methods with the help of research to improve patients’ health, and a developer of innovative life-changing treatments for diseases.

According to the company, its annual global revenue has touched an all-time high figure of $40 billion. The year 2021 was a favorable year for the company as its sales figures saw an upward trend followed by its profits. These factors contributed to the success of the company along with various additional acquisitions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is not their first step towards advancement, as in the past they have done some recognizable work on brand development such as:

·         Patheon

·         Unity Lab

·         Thermo Scientific

·         Applied Biosystem

The Glacios 2 cryo-transmission electron microscope from the company is intended for biopharma researchers with varying levels of experience in the technique to help them parse the structures of proteins and cells using different methods such as microcrystal diffraction and cryo-electron tomography.

The basics of cryogenic electron microscopy are based on fast-freezing biological samples in liquid ethane and then preserving them in liquid nitrogen. This holds individual particles and helps them withstand the microscope’s high-energy electron beam sweeps. According to a business announcement, the Glacios 2 system aims to accelerate the process by automating important steps in an experimental setup such as regulation and temperature of volumes and nitrogen liquid and usage of the device. 

Artificial intelligence-driven software also assists researchers in avoiding numerous repetitive procedures. When doing single-particle analysis, which collects hundreds of photos to reconstruct the structures of bigger molecules. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) materials may be kept in cryogenic settings for up to 1 day in the Glacios and up to 3 days. This will help researchers to capture as much data as possible to make a definitive reconstruction.

The technique includes an artificial intelligence (AI) system known as Smart Filter, it helps to remove areas of the scanner hardware that may be polluted around the margins of the sample or have cracks in the ice, which might impair the quality of the data obtained. It also allows for intense and thorough screening of potential druggable targets such as tiny proteins with low atomic mass. It may be performed overnight to build 3D models of putative binding sites for small molecule inhibitors.

Trisha Rice, Life Sciences VP at Thermo Fisher stated:

“Automated advanced instruments are integral and crucial to the advancement of life science research globally, as the demand for cryogenic electron microscopy will increase. Especially in the case of fast-paced pharmaceutical and biotech industries”.