cryoem-cloud-tools: A software platform to deploy and manage cryo-EM jobs in the cloud

J Struct Biol. 2018 Sep;203(3):230-235. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2018.05.014. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Abstract

Access to streamlined computational resources remains a significant bottleneck for new users of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). To address this, we have developed tools that will submit cryo-EM analysis routines and atomic model building jobs directly to Amazon Web Services (AWS) from a local computer or laptop. These new software tools ("cryoem-cloud-tools") have incorporated optimal data movement, security, and cost-saving strategies, giving novice users access to complex cryo-EM data processing pipelines. Integrating these tools into the RELION processing pipeline and graphical user interface we determined a 2.2 Å structure of ß-galactosidase in ∼55 h on AWS. We implemented a similar strategy to submit Rosetta atomic model building and refinement to AWS. These software tools dramatically reduce the barrier for entry of new users to cloud computing for cryo-EM and are freely available at cryoem-tools.cloud.

Keywords: Amazon Web Services; Cloud computing; Cryo-electron microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology / methods*
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Software*
  • beta-Galactosidase / chemistry
  • beta-Galactosidase / ultrastructure

Substances

  • beta-Galactosidase