Understanding stochastic biological macromolecular complexes by estimating a mechanical model via statistical mechanics from cryo electron microscopy images

Abstract

Cryo electron microscopy imaging experiments can lead to stochastic models for biological macromolecular complexes. However, interpreting the statistical variability is difficult. In some situations, the variability in the original complexes is due to primarily thermal fluctuations which are snap frozen in place by the preparation of the specimen. In this case the images are images of samples of the equilibrium statistical mechanics ensemble of the complex. Based on representing the complex by a lattice spring-mass mechanical model, an estimation problem for determining the masses and spring constants is described and demonstrated on synthetic data.