single particle analysis

Single particle analysis is a technique used in electron microscopy to determine the three-dimensional structure of tiny biological molecules, like proteins, from many two-dimensional images. Researchers rapidly take images of thousands of identical molecules in different orientations, then use computational methods to align and combine these images. This process reconstructs a detailed 3D model of the molecule, revealing its shape and structure at almost atomic resolution. It is a powerful tool for understanding how biological molecules work at a fundamental level and aids in drug development and scientific discovery.