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3DEM History and Genealogy 1968-2011
Welcome to the Web Page on the History of 3-Dimensional Electron Microscopy in Biology
Since the inception of the field of 3-Dimensional Electron Microscopy in Biology in 1968 there has been remarkable growth in the number of labs and scientists active in the field of 3DEM.
The aim of this website is to provide links to some of the original papers which spawned the field and reviews which have chronicled the subsequent development of the field. Several of these resources are published personal accountings by colleagues who were central in the field, and also narratives written especially for this project.
An attempt has been made to present a genealogy reflecting the original groups in the field and to show how the field has propagated from the few pioneer laboratories in 3DEM, and the interrelationships between them.
The genealogy data in the map has purposely been cut off at the year 2011. This arose because of the almost exponential rise in 3DEM activity since this date. We felt that chronicling the early steps of the development of the field would provide a valuable resource in understanding how the field evolved.
Here is a link to the criteria used for inclusion in the genealogy.
We rely on you, our colleagues, to make further contributions to the website and to guide us in the accuracy of the facts we present. Please feel free to contact us (Alexis, Martin, Ardan)!
Network Visualization
This is an attempt at an academic genealogy of the field of 3D EM and is a work in progress.
Academic genealogy: Frequently Asked Questions
This genealogy aims to record the growth of the field of 3D EM from 1968 to 2011
Who is included?
Researchers who hold or have held permanent positions and who have made a significant contribution to the field of 3D EM. PhD students, postdocs and other non-permanent scientists are not included. Tenure-track faculty are included.
Technical Staff with more than 5 publications in the field of 3DEM are also included in the list.
What do arrows signify?
Links denote mentorship. Typically, PhD supervisor – student and PI – postdoc relationships are denoted by links. If a person trained or worked in more than one lab, these relationships may be indicated.
Why are some nodes larger, more visible than others?
The choice of which nodes to emphasize aims to reflect:
- Those scientists who initiated the field of 3D EM
- The number of their academic “descendants”
- The fact that some researchers entered the field independently of others, in a sense becoming “first-generation” contributors
Why is X not included? I can see errors, can they be corrected?
Since there is no authoritative source for information needed to compile this genealogy we rely on feedback to ensure there are no omissions or other mistakes.
Development of the field of 3DEM

Publications related to the history of 3D EM
David DeRosier | 3D reconstruction from electron micrographs a personal account of its development | Methods Enzymol. 2010;481:1-24 |
Bob Glaeser | Review: Electron Crystallography: Present Excitement, a Nod to the Past, Anticipating the Future | J Struct Biol. 1999 Dec 1;128(1):3-14 |
Ken Taylor, Bob Glaeser | Retrospective on the early development of cryoelectron microscopy of macromolecules and a prospective on opportunities for the future | J Struct Biol. 2008 Sep;163(3):214-23 |
Obituary: Walter Hoppe | J. Appl. Cryst. (1987) 20, 324-325 | |
Bruno Strasser, Jacques Dubochet | Obituary: Eduard Kellenberger (1920-2004) | Nature. 2005 Feb 24;433(7028):817 |
Marin van Heel | Jean-Pierre Bretaudière (1946-2008) and the early days of multivariate statistics in electron microscopy | In: "An electronic text book: Electron microscopy in Life Science", 3D-EM Network of Excellence, Editors: A. Verkley and E. Orlova (2009) |
R. Nuzzo | Profile of Chikashi Toyoshima | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jan 31;103(5):1165-7 |
Aaron Klug | Aaron Klug - Autobiography | Nobelprize.org. 17 Jul 2011 |
Don Caspar, David DeRosier | The 1982 Nobel Prize in chemistry | Science. 1982 Nov 12;218(4573):653-5 |
John Finch | A Nobel Fellow on Every Floor | Book published by MRC/LMB |
Anthony Crowther | From Envelopes to Atoms: The Remarkable Progress of Biological Electron Microscopy | Adv Protein Chem Struct Biol. 2010;81:1-32. |
Viruses and the development of quantitative biological electron microscopy | Notes Rec R Soc Lond. 2004 Jan;58(1):65-81. | |
Nikolai Andreevich Kiselev | Nikolai Andreevich Kiselev (On the Occasion of His 80th Birthday) | Kristallografiya, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 1149–1150. translated in Crystallography Reports, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 1091–1092 |
Wolfgang Baumeister | A voyage to the inner space of cells | Protein Sci. 2005 January; 14(1): 257–269. |
Arthur L Robinson | Electron Microscopy: Imaging Molecules in Three Dimensions | Science 1976 April; Vol. 192 no. 4237 pp. 360-400 |
Jacques Dubochet | Cryo-EM—the first thirty years | Journal of Microscopy 2011; Vol. 245 no. 3 pp. 1-4 |
Joachim Frank | Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy: The Path Toward Atomic Resolution/Selected Papers Of Joachim Frank With Commentaries (Series in Structural Biology) | April 6, 2018 |
Original personal narratives
These narratives were specially provided to this 3DEM history website by the authors below. We welcome further contributions.
Robert Josephs | A profile of a researcher in the field of electron crystallography | October 2015 |
Michael Rossmann | A short scientific autobiography of Michael G. Rossmann | September 2011 |
Ondreij Krivanek | Ondrej Krivanek’s contribution to microscopy: Memories of an adventure! | August 2018 |
Other Links
Web of stories: video interview of Aaron Klug & Nobel interview with Aaron KlugContributors
Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the National Cancer Institute, NIH
Quick links
Recent Entries
(Show all)The structure of the CS from Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA (Class 2a)
Cryo-EM structure of Lhcb4.1-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The structure of the Lhcb8-CP47 from Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
Extracellular region of the Vgamma9Vdelta2 TCR-engaged BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex (EMReady)
Cryo-EM structure of formate dehydrogenase from Rhodobacter aestuarii (RaFDH) with NAD+
The Cryo-EM structure of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA focused on primase and Zn binding domain
The Cryo-EM structure of MPXV E5 head-to-head double hexamer conformation
Cryo-EM structure of reduced form of formate dehydrogenase from Rhodobacter aestuarii (RaFDH) with NADH
Cryo-EM structure of the SE-PangolinCoV (MjHKU4r-CoV-1) RBD in complex with human DPP4
Raw consensus map of the HMBPP-primed BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex
The Cryo-EM structure of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA in intermediate state 3
The Cryo-EM structure of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA in intermediate state 1
TM/JM/B30.2 regions of the Vgamma9Vdelta2 TCR-engaged BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex (EMReady)
Extracellular region of the HMBPP-primed BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex (EMReady)
Cryo-EM structure of EU-HedgehogCoV (Erinaceus/VMC/DEU/2012) S-trimer in a locked-2 conformation
The Cryo-EM map of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA in intermediate state 4
Cryo-EM structure of CN-HedgehogCoV (HKU31/Erinaceus amurensis/China/2014) S-trimer in a locked-1 conformation
TM/JM/B30.2 regions of the HMBPP-primed BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex (EMReady)
Cryo-EM structure of BTN2A1 in complex with antagonist antibody TH002
Cryo-EM structure of the Vgamma9Vdelta2 TCR-engaged BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex
The Cryo-EM map of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA in intermediate state 2
Cryo-EM structure of HKU25-BatCoV S-trimer stabilized with 2P and x1 disulfide bond
Cryo-EM structure of the GD-BatCoV (BtCoV/Ii/GD/2014-422) RBD in complex with human DPP4
Raw consensus map of the Vgamma9Vdelta2 TCR-engaged BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex
CryoEM structure of a tRNA uridine 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl modification enzyme GidA
Cryo-EM structure of SA-BatCoV (Neoromicia/PML-PHE1/RSA/2011) S-trimer
Cryo-EM structure of CN-HedgehogCoV (HKU31/Erinaceus amurensis/China/2014) S-trimer in a locked-2 conformation
Cryo-EM structure of the HMBPP-primed BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 complex
Cryo-EM structure of the HMBPP-primed BTN3A1-BTN3A2-BTN2A1 in complex with agonist antibody TH001
The Cryo-EM map of MPXV E5 in complex with ssDNA in intermediate state 5
snR30 snoRNP - State 1 - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - 5' HACA - local refinement
Omicron BA.1 Spike protein with neutralizing NTD specific mAb K501SP6
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site, open state
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site, closed state
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site with the C-terminal of A12 in the funnel
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site bound to nucleotide analog AMPCPP at E-site
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site, 12-subunit
snR30 snoRNP - State 1 - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - 3' HACA - local refinement
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site, pre-translocation state
Cryo-EM structure of MBP homo-dimer assembled by homo Di-Gluebody - MBP local refinement
Stalled 90S - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - Head-Kre33 module - local refinement
Cryo-EM structure of a contractile injection system in Streptomyces coelicolor, the baseplate complex in extended state applied 6-fold symmetry.
Mouse mitoribosome large subunit assembly intermediate (without uL16m) bound to MRM3 dimer and the MALSU-L0R8F8-mt-ACP complex, State A3 (SAMC knock out)
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site bound to nucleotide analog AMPCPP at A-site
Mouse mitoribosome large subunit assembly intermediate bound to NSUN4, MTERF4 and the MALSU1-L0R8F8-mtACP complex, State C2 (SAMC knock-out)
Cryo-EM structure of the Plastid-encoded RNA polymerase from Sinapis alba
snR30 snoRNP - State 1 - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - Consensus refinement
Cryo-EM structure of a contractile injection system in Streptomyces coelicolor, the baseplate complex in extended state applied 3-fold symmetry.
Cryo electron tomogram of Streptomyces coelicolor - ScoDelta4242 complemented membrane protein CisA strain - Ghost cells
Cryo electron tomogram of Streptomyces coelicolor - ScoDelta4242 complemented membrane protein CisA strain - Intact hyphae
Cryo-EM structure of the Toxoplasma gondii respiratory chain complex III inhibited by ELQ-300
Cryo-EM structure of a contractile injection system in Streptomyces coelicolor, the cap portion in extended state.
Stalled 90S - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - Nop14 module - local refinement
Mouse mitochondrial large subunit assembly intermediate in complex with MRM2 dimer with uL16m bound (SAMC Knock-out)
Escherichia phage Paracelsus (Bas36) baseplate, proximal tail fiber and tail.
Mouse mitoribosome large subunit assembly intermediate (without uL16m) bound to MRM3-dimer, DDX28 and the MALSU-L0R8F8-mt-ACP complex, State A1 (SAMC knock-out)
Mouse mitoribosome large subunit assembly intermediate bound to NSUN4, METRF4, MRM2, GTPBP7 and MALSU1-L0R8F8-mt-ACP complex, State D (SAMC knock-out)
Cryo electron tomogram of Streptomyces coelicolor - ScoDelta4242 membrane protein CisA mutant - Ghost cells
Yeast RNA polymerase I elongation complex stalled by an apurinic site, 11-subunit
snR30 snoRNP - State 1 - Utp23-Krr1-deltaC3 - Platform module - local refinement
Mouse mitoribosome large subunit assembly intermediate bound to NSUN4, METRF4, GTPBP7 and the MALSU1-L0R8F8-mt-ACP complex, State C1 (SAMC knock-out)
Cryo electron tomogram of Streptomyces coelicolor - ScoDelta4242 membrane protein CisA mutant - Intact hyphae
Cryo-EM map of human XPR1 in presence of inorganic phosphate and phytic acid
SpCas9 with 17-bp R-loop containing 2 terminal mismatches (State IV - product)
Cryo-EM structure of the wild-type Thermus thermophilus 70S ribosome in complex with mRNA, A-site Q230-N5-methylated Release Factor 1, and P-site 2'-deoxy-A76-fMEAAAKC-peptidyl-tRNAcys at 2.13A resolution
Cryo-EM structure of human SRCAP-nucleosome complex in the encounter state (composite structure)
SpCas9 with 17-bp R-loop containing 2 terminal mismatches (State I - pre-activation)
Cryo-EM structure of alpha5beta1 integrin in complex with NeoNectin precursor 5.3
Cryo-EM structure of KCa2.2_I/calmodulin channel in complex with rimtuzalcap
Cryo-EM structure of human SRCAP-nucleosome complex in the pre-engaged state (composite structure)
Cryo-EM structure of the human SRCAP complex in the unbound state (composite structure)
Cryo-EM structure of the reconstituted TRRAP lobe of the human TIP60 complex (composite structure)
Focused refinement map on C-terminal half of LRRK2 bound to RN277 (CORB-Kinase-WD40 domains)
SpCas9 with 17-bp R-loop containing 2 terminal mismatches (State III - checkpoint)
Cryo-EM structure of KCa3.1/calmodulin channel in complex with NS309
Structure of R2 retrotransposon protein from Platysternon megacephalum after second strand nicking
Consensus map of the autoinhibitory unliganded CD163 trimer (map A)
Focused refinement map on C-terminal half of LRRK2 (RoC-CORA domains)
Rhesus RHA10.01 Fab in complex with HIV-1 Env BG505 DS-SOSIP trimer
Cryo-EM structure of KCa2.2_II/calmodulin channel in complex with rimtuzalcap
Structure of the C-terminal half of LRRK2 bound to RN277 (Type-II inhibitor)
Composite map of the autoinhibitory unliganded CD163 trimer (map F)
Cryo-Electron Microscopy of BfpB Reveals a Type IVb Secretin Multimer Sufficient to Accommodate the Exceptionally Wide Bundle-Forming Pilus
Cryo-EM structure of KCa2.2/calmodulin channel in complex with NS309
Cryo-EM structure of human SRCAP-nucleosome complex in the partially-engaged state (composite structure)
SpCas9 with 17-bp R-loop containing 2 terminal mismatches (State V - dissociated)
Cryo-EM structure of alpha5beta1 integrin in complex with NeoNectin candidate 2, open conformation
Cryo-EM structure of the TRRAP lobe of the native human TIP60 complex (composite structure)
Structure of R2 retrotransposon protein from Taeniopygia guttata initiating target-primed reverse transcription
Cryo-EM structure of the RuvBL lobe of the native human TIP60 complex (composite structure)
Structure of R2 retrotransposon protein from Platysternon megacephalum initiating target-primed reverse transcription
Cryo-EM structure of human SRCAP-nucleosome complex in the fully-engaged state (composite structure)
Cryo-EM structure of the reconstituted RuvBL lobe of the human TIP60 complex (composite structure)
Imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, apo structure
Structure of E.coli ribosome in complex with an engineered arrest peptide and trigger factor
The consensus map of the Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The structure of the Lhcb4.1-CP47 from Lhcb4.1-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA (Class 1)
1.8 A resolution structure of the Photosystem I assembly intermediate lacking stromal subunits.
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA (Class 2b)
The structure of Lhcb8-LHCII-CP26 from Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The consensus map of the Lhcb4.1-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA (Class 2c)
Imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in complex with aminotriazole
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA (Class 2d)
The Cryo-EM structure of human tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1-THADA with substrate tRNA and S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH)
Imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, apo structure
Structure of E.coli ribosome in complex with an engineered arrest peptide
The structure of Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana
The structure of Lhcb4.1-LHCII-CP26 from Lhcb8-C2S2 PSII-LHCII supercomplex from Arabidopsis thaliana