The determinant factors for map resolutions obtained using CryoEM single particle imaging method

The CryoEM single particle structure determination method has recently received broad attention in the field of structural biology. The structures can be resolved to near-atomic resolutions after model reconstructions from a large number of CryoEM images measuring molecules in different orientations. However, the determining factors for reconstructed map resolution need to be further explored. Here, we provide a theoretical framework in conjunction with numerical simulations to gauge the influence of several key factors to CryoEM map resolutions. If the projection image quality allows orientation assignment, then the number of measured projection images and the quality of each measurement(quantified using average signal-to-noise ratio) can be combined to a single factor, which is dominant to the resolution of reconstructed maps. Furthermore, the intrinsic thermal motion of molecules has significant effects on the resolution. These effects can be quantitatively summarized with an analytical formula that provides a theoretical guideline on structure resolutions for given experimental measurements.