Robust target detection with 2DTM p-value
A statistical metric for robust target detection in cryo-EM using high-resolution 2D template matching
Detecting smaller targets by 2D template matching (2DTM) is difficult because the detected signal depends on the molecular weight of the target. Low-resolution contrast can be a reliable indicator of a target, but is down-weighted in the standard 2DTM workflow. We address these challenges by developing a new statistical metric — the 2DTM p-value — that improves the detection of several previously challenging targets, including a 193 kDa clathrin monomer.
The 2DTM p-value is particularly useful for detecting targets of 50 kDa and smaller, and for reliably detecting rare targets that require higher detection thresholds to suppress false positives.
Publication: A new statistical metric for robust target detection in cryo-EM using 2D template matching · IUCrJ (2025).