Outcomes of the Cryo-EM Map and Model Challenges

Abstract

The next step in enabling cryo-EM to continue its growth as a leading method for structure detemination is to create best practices in reconstruction and model building and robust community-approved structure validation methods. We have sponsored two challenges to highlight the need for map and model validation standards, and to expedite development of quantitative tools for cryo-EM structure comparison and assessment with community participation (challenges.emdataresource.org). The scientific community responded enthusiastically with more than 90 scientists worldwide participating. Following a participants' workshop held in October 2017 at Stanford University/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, key results and recommendations are now collated in a 2018 special issue of the Journal of Structural Biology. In this presentation we will describe how this round of Cryo-EM Challenges has stimulated important discussions that will help propel this field forward.