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About

Anchi Cheng is a structural biologist and electron microscopist whose research has significantly advanced the automation and efficiency of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Working at the intersection of instrumentation development and structural biology, Cheng has made notable contributions to streamlining two-dimensional crystallization of membrane proteins — a notoriously challenging but critical step in determining the structures of these biologically important molecules. Their 2007 and 2010 papers on automated screening of two-dimensional crystals (each garnering 38 citations) established foundational workflows that reduced the labor-intensive nature of crystal evaluation, enabling researchers to process samples at previously impractical scales. Cheng also contributed to the broader field of single-particle electron microscopy automation, helping democratize access to high-resolution structural analysis. Perhaps most strikingly, their 2015 work on multiplexed TEM specimen preparation demonstrated a creative application of liquid-handling robotics to load up to 96 nanoparticle samples onto a single TEM grid, revolutionizing throughput for plasmonic nanoparticle characterization. Across these contributions, Cheng's career reflects a consistent commitment to making electron microscopy faster, smarter, and more accessible to the broader scientific community.