Voss, Jonathan MarkHarder, Oliver FlorianOlshin, PavelDrabbels, MarcelLorenz, Ulrich2021-06-212021-06-212021-06-212021-06-1110.1016/j.cplett.2021.138812https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/179444Proteins typically undergo dynamics on the microsecond to millisecond timescale, which is much faster than the time resolution of cryo-electron microscopy. Here, we propose a novel approach for microsecond time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy that involves melting a cryo specimen in situ with a laser beam. The sample remains liquid for the duration of the laser pulse, offering a tunable time window in which the dynamics of embedded particles can be induced in a liquid environment. After the laser pulse, the sample vitrifies, trapping particles in their transient configurations. As a proof of principle, we study the disassembly of particles after they incur structural damage.Protein dynamicsTime-resolved cryo-electron microscopySingle-particle observationIn situ transmission electron microscopyGraphene liquid cellstext::journal::journal article::research article