The Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM (PNCC) is a state-of-the-art electron microscopy user facility funded by the National Institutes of Health Common Fund (NIH) and operated jointly by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Our mission is to serve researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds to tackle the most challenging scientific problems and train the next generation of cryo-electron microscopy specialists and users.

PNCC offers service and training across the entire cryo-EM workflow: from sample analysis and optimization to grid preparation, automated high-resolution micrograph collection, image analysis, 3D reconstruction and model construction and validation. Multiple levels of service and access are available and correspond with the type of analysis desired. Group workshops introducing new users to cryo-EM methodology and theory will be held annually and are open to the public. Onsite individual training is provided for users with approved access to PNCC and is tailored to the specific samples, instruments, and methods of interest.

The partnership between OHSU and PNNL combines the strengths of both institutions to create a robust center for cryo-EM in the affordable, accessible, and attractive city of Portland, Oregon. PNCC is housed in a custom-built low-vibration microscopy suite in the Robertson Life Sciences Building (RLSB) along Portland's south waterfront.

In addition to PNCC, the NIH also funded two other centers with complementary facilities - The National Center for CryoEM Access and Training (NCCAT) is located in New York, while the Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center (S2C2) is located in California. All of the centers are accessible through competitive peer review of user proposals, although, the services offered at each facility and total time allocated on instruments may vary. There are no geographical restrictions so users can apply to any of these centers.

Learn about PNCC History here.