MicroED Structure Determination: Samples, Methods, and Deliverables
MicroED Crystal Structure Determination
This guide covers pharmaceutical-relevant MicroED and three-dimensional electron diffraction services, platforms, and research. Distinguish structure determination services from instrument supply and partner-delivered work, then check the sample type and disclosed methods before assessing fit.
Questions to ask first
- Does the service explicitly use MicroED or three-dimensional electron diffraction rather than another electron microscopy technique?
- Is the sample a small molecule, pharmaceutical solid, or protein or peptide microcrystal, and is relevant structure determination evidence available?
- Does the deliverable include a structural model and supporting quality information, with clear boundaries for sample preparation, optimization, and absolute configuration assessment?
Key terms
- MicroED / 3D electron diffraction
- The electron diffraction structure determination approaches tracked here; not every TEM or cryo-EM service is a MicroED service.
- Structure determination and characterization
- Determining a crystal structure and identifying sample attributes address different questions and should be confirmed separately in service descriptions.
- Platforms versus services
- Owning or supplying an instrument does not automatically establish the ability to accept a particular client sample for structure determination.
Evidence and scope
Success with one sample class or case study should not be generalized to all pharmaceutical samples. Check whether sample preparation preserves the original solid form, and retain the boundaries of the method, data quality, and sample suitability. Preprints, vendor case studies, and peer-reviewed research are identified separately.
Technology snapshot: 2026-11-01 · Research methods
