Institute of Biophysics(IBP), Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA, in association with the Chinese Biophysics Association, Nankai University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Chinese Science and Technology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science (CAS) and Institute of High Energy Physics (CAS) organized a "X-Ray Methods in Structural Biology"  workshop from April 29^th to May 15^th at IBP, CAS.

A blend of theory and hands on training

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a non-profit, non-governmental (NGO) organization that conducts  research and educational programs. Under the strong leadership of Dr Bruce Stillman, more than 400 full time scientists are actively engaged in research in the fields of neurobiology, plant genetics,  bioinformatics and cancer. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is one of sixty-three institutions supported by the Cancer Centers Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and has been an NCI-designated cancer center since 1987.

Professor Gary Gilliland, a prominent scientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and one of the organizers of the workshop, mentioned during an interview - "The workshop on X-ray methods in structural biology  has been held regularly once a year, since 1988. Most of these workshops have been organized in the USA. This is only the second instance during the past 20 years, that the workshop has been conducted overseas. "

Dr. Zhi-Jie Liu, a professor of structural biology at IBP and one of the chief organizers of the workshop says - "The Cold Spring Harbor workshop on macromolecular crystallography is one of the most prestigious and sought after courses in the field of macromolecular crystallography worldwide. The workshop is usually attended by graduate students, junior and senior researchers with basic knowledge of protein crystallography. The course provides a unique opportunity to not only learn the principles and theory behind X-ray crystallography, but also gain hands on experience in solving protein structures using X-rays. In addition, what really sets this workshop apart from other protein crystallography workshops is the fact that each topic is taught by an expert in that field; which provides an opportunity to the participants to communicate directly with the best scientists in that field. "

Xiaohong Zhou, a second year graduate student remarked, "I feel honored to have been given an opportunity to attend the workshop. Since the seats were limited, there was tough competition and only a few were chosen amongst thousands to attend the workshop. This workshop will help me tremendously in my research career. A number of eminent scholars in the field of macromolecular crystallography like Professor Rod MacKinnon (Rockefeller University ), Professor Venki Ramakrishnan ( member of US academy of Sciences), had attended similar workshops conducted by Cold Spring Harbor early in their careers. Having attended the workshop, I now feel confident about my future as a structural biologist."

I like these sharp questions

Alexander McPherson is a well known professor of protein crystallography at UCI, California, USA. His books on fundamentals of macromolecular crystallography are popular amongst beginners as well as experts. During the course of the workshop, Alex remarked, "I like the Chinese students very much because they are talented. They are always well prepared and ask good questions. Also they respect teachers."

Workshop will have a great impact on the future of structural biology in China

Professor Tao Xu, the director of IBP, said at the reception dinner ,"Ever since academician Dong-Cai Liang pioneered and developed macromolecular crystallography at IBP, structural biology has been at the forefront of research initiatives in China. We have an obligation to contribute our energies to the development of the Chinese structural biology program and cultivate young researchers in this field."

On the last day of the workshop, Professor Zhi-Jie Liu acknowledged the help and support he received during the course of the workshop. He added,?The idea of organizing a workshop on X-ray methods in protein crystallography in China was advocated by Dr. Zihe Rao and Professor McPherson, which was supported by elder protein crystallography academicians Dong-Cai Liang and Haifu Fan. This workshop would not have been possible without the support of IBP. The workshop has provided young Chinese crystallographers a tremendous opportunity to train with the best, using the latest techniques and computation tools available for solving 3D structures of proteins. In addition, the workshop has provided a platform for the young Chinese crystallographers to network and communicate with international scholars. This workshop will have a profound effect on the development of macromolecular crystallography in China in the years to come.?

A total of 180 students attended the workshop.