On November 2nd, the 17th International Conference on the Crystallization of Biological Macromolecules (ICCBM17) and the 6th iHuman Forum successfully concluded. Co- hosted by iHuman Institute and Northwestern Polytechnical University as well as Shanghai Biophysical Society, ICCBM is a well-recognized international academic conference affiliated to the International Organization for Biological Crystallization (IOBCr). Held every two years, it has a strong reputation in the scientific and technological community. The ICCBM17 is the first international event in the field of biological macromolecules crystallization held by ShanghaiTech University. iHuman Institute Executive Director Professor Liu Zhijie and Professor Yin Dachuan (Northwestern Polytechnical University) co-chaired the conference.
The six-day conference attracted over 530 delegates from universities, research institutions and corporations from more than 20 countries and regions. In addition to the invited world-renowned senior scientists, there were also a number of young scientists and students. From the submitted abstracts, we can see that many young scholars and graduate students have done great science in their own research fields.
Vice President and Provost Professor Yin Jie gave opening remarks, expressing his sincere welcome to the attendees. Eight undergraduate students of the Folk Music Society performed “Flowery Moonlit River in Spring” featuring eight classical Chinese instruments, reflecting the integration of science and art. ICCBM16 Chair Professor Ivana Kuta Smatanova from Prague, Czech Republic handed over the crystal trophy of the ICCBM to Professor Liu Zhijie, the chair of this conference to kick off the conference. Professor Henry Chapman – the internationally renowned crystallographer, and director of the Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) gave an inspiring speech on “Imaging Macromolecules with X-ray Laser Pulses” as part of the ShanghaiTech Lecture series and was presented with a certificate by Professor Yin Jie as a small token of appreciation.
The conference was divided into three workshops and eight seminar sessions with the aim of discussing the latest developments and theoretical practices in the field of bio-macromolecule crystallization. The conference invited 37 internationally well-known crystallographers, structural biologists and biophysicists as speakers or session chairs. The topics covered: 1. Theory and practice of crystallization. 2. Crystallization of membrane proteins. 3. Crystallization and sample delivery for serial crystallography. 4. Electron diffraction or Micro ED. 5. Crystallization for neutron diffraction. 6. Crystallization under special physical or chemical environments. 7. Instrumentation, automation and crystal to beam. 8. Crystallization in industry and biomedicine.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity for young scientists and students to deliver oral and poster presentations. Seven young scientists from China and abroad presented their latest research results while forty-nine participants presented their research achievements and progress in the poster session. Representatives of the conference organizing committee presented awards for nine best poster presenters.
On the last day of the conference, the internationally renowned crystallographer Professor Wayne Hendrickson from Columbia University delivered a closing speech entitled The importance of being crystalized. iHuman Founding Director Professor Ray Stevens and Professor Liu Zhijie presented the first “iHuman Structure of Life Award” to Professor Hendrickson. This award is presented to the worldwide scientists who have made outstanding contributions to structural biology community. Professor Yin Dachuan wrapped up the conference, acknowledging those whose contributions led to the success of this conference and Professor Yin announced the location of ICCBM18 which will be in Arizona, USA.
The ICCBM17 was strongly supported by organizations such as the Shanghai Municipal Government, International Society for Biological Crystallization, the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), Chinese Crystallographic Society (CCrS), Biophysical Society of China (BSC), and industry partners. It is strongly believed that the success of ICCBM17 will play a significant role in promoting the great progress and development of the field of bio-macromolecule crystallization.
Professor Ivana Kuta Smatanova (Chair of ICCBM16) handed over the ICCBM crystal trophy to Professor Liu Zhijie (Chair of ICCBM17)
Performance by the Folk Music Society
Professor Henry Chapman was presented “The ShanghaiTech Lecture” certificate by Professor Yin Jie
Poster session of the conference (Invited speaker: Professor Martin Caffrey)
Professor Wayne Hendrickson from Columbia University delivered closing plenary talk
Group photo of conference attendees