Understanding structure-property-function relations is key for unfolding biological processes as well as for the development of new functional materials. Our work uses cryoEM to resolve complex structures and dynamic processes in molecular assemblies, soft nanostructures and colloids, of both natural and synthetic building blocks. We exploit the unique ability of cryoEM to simultaneously disclose coexisting structures, capture short-lived intermediates, and directly illuminate structural details at high resolution and in the hydrated state, using recent technological improvements for higher resolution and precision. The talk will consider micellization; 1-dimensional ribbons and nanotubes; lipid-nanoparticle interactions; and the formation of protein-membrane complexes.