CryoNAV About
About CryoNAV
CryoNAV is a comprehensive data management software platform currently under development for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) workflows. Being developed by the Navarro Lab at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), CryoNAV aims to provide researchers with an integrated solution for managing the complete lifecycle of cryo-EM data, from initial sample preparation through final data archiving.
Overview
CryoNAV is being designed to address the complex data management challenges faced by cryo-EM facilities and research laboratories by offering a unified platform that will streamline workflows, ensure data integrity, and facilitate collaboration.
Key Features
Sample and Experiment Management
- Comprehensive tracking of sample preparation conditions
- Experimental parameter recording and management
- Protocol standardization and documentation
Data Collection and Import
- Planned automated tilt series data import from microscope servers
- Real-time data retrieval and organization
- Support for multiple data collection schemes
Metadata Management
- Centralized metadata storage and organization
- Standardized annotation systems
- Cross-referencing capabilities between experiments
Grid Visualization and Mapping
- Interactive grid maps and thumbnails
- Location-based tilt series organization
- Visual tracking of data collection progress
- Search functionality for specific grid locations
Data Processing Integration
CryoNAV is planned to integrate with leading cryo-EM processing tools including:
- IMOD - Image processing and 3D reconstruction
- Dynamo - Image processing and 3D reconstruction
- CryoCARE - Content-aware image restoration
- DeepDeWedge - Missing wedge restoration using deep learning
- CTFfind - Contrast transfer function estimation
- And many other specialized cryo-EM tools
Storage and Backup
- Planned automated data storage management
- Redundant backup systems
- Long-term storage (LTS) integration
- Data integrity verification
Sharing and Archiving
- Planned upload capabilities to online repositories and databases
- Cataloguing systems for easy data retrieval
- Long-term archiving solutions
- Collaboration tools for multi-user access
Development Background
CryoNAV is being developed by the Navarro Lab, which applies and advances cryo-electron tomography technologies to image cellular samples. The lab's expertise in implementing and developing computational tools for cryo-electron tomographic data processing directly informs CryoNAV's design and functionality.
The software is being designed to handle the demanding requirements of modern cryo-EM labs for quantitative analysis of 3D volumes and in situ structure determination, extending these capabilities to the broader cryo-EM community through an accessible data management platform.
Support and Documentation
For installation guides, tutorials, and technical support, please refer to the other sections of this wiki:
Contact
For more information about CryoNAV development or to discuss the project, please contact Paula Navarro (paula.navarro{at}unil.ch) at the Navarro Lab, UNIL.