It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 36th edition of the European Crystallographic Meeting - ECM-36 which will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, August 23-28, 2027.

ECM is a well-established conference series of the European Crystallographic Association. Modern crystallography is an interdisciplinary subject covering structural biology, pharmacy, and chemistry to physics, and materials science. It can also be called structural science. It includes the study of protein structures and also crystals structures and microstructures of minerals, new functional materials, nanoparticles, bulk materials, and thin films. It is also interested in the relationship between the structure and function of materials. Important related topics are development of instrumental techniques for structural characterization of materials including large facilities XFELs, synchrotrons and neutron sources, but also continuous improvement of laboratory equipments, development of optics, better and faster detectors. The core methods of crystallography are X-ray and neutron scattering. However, mainly in the last decade, it includes electron diffraction and microscopy, NMR and different spectroscopies. This development also allows investigation of structural changes under extreme conditions such as high and low temperatures, high pressures, time-resolved studies, different in-situ experiments in external fields (magnetic, electric) and chemical reactions.

The 2026 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference will be held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and features two parallel scientific sessions one focused on life sciences and the other on chemistry and materials scienc with shared keynote lectures bringing together the full community for interdisciplinary exchange.

• Opening Reception, September 15
• Parallel Scientific Sessions, September 16-18.
• Poster Session with Student Poster Contest, September 16th
• Conference Banquet, September 17th
• Tours of LCLS and SSRL, September 18th (advanced registration required)

To Register or learn more visit: https://cvent.me/Eaamay

A Pre-conference Workshop on Computational Tools for Structure-based Drug Design will be held on September 15th, with seperate registration.

On behalf of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), it is with immense excitement and joy that we cordially extend our warmest invitation to you to join the IUCr for the Twenty-Seventh Congress and General Assembly, set to be held in the magnificent city of Calgary, located in the heart of Alberta, Canada from August 11th-18th, 2026.

Calgary, a city renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and warm hospitality, has been chosen as the host for this remarkable occasion. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes and boasting a rich cultural heritage, this vibrant metropolis promises to provide an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

In drug discovery, Virtual Screening (VS) is a widely used computational method to search libraries of small molecules for hit identification, lead optimization, and scaffold hopping. Virtual Screening can reduce research time and cost by using two different approaches: Structure-Based Virtual Screening (SBVS) and Ligand-Based Virtual Screening (LBVS). 

What we will cover

In this virtual workshop, we will familiarise you with the Hermes GUI and learn how to set up and run a virtual screening campaign in GOLD. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

You will learn:

- Brief overview of structure-based virtual screening.

- Basics of the Hermes interface, the CCDC’s 3D visualizer for proteins.

- Cavity detection and extraction in Hermes.

- Step-by-step set-up of a virtual screening simulation in GOLD.

- Analysis of virtual screening results.

- Protein-ligand interactions insights using hotspots via Superstar. 

- The workshop will be recorded and all registered participants will have access to the recording.

2025 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC)

Hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory
October 9–12, 2025

On behalf of the Conference Committee, we are delighted to invite you to 82nd annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC). This year’s conference will be held October 9–12, 2025 at Brookhaven National Laboratory, on New York’s beautiful Long Island.
 

The Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference is one of the longest-running scientific meetings in North America focused on the advancement of structural science through diffraction-based methods. Bridging both life sciences and materials sciences, the conference brings together researchers who utilize laboratory-based instruments, X-ray light sources, electron diffraction, and neutron scattering to explore the structure and dynamics of matter. It serves as a vibrant forum for sharing recent scientific breakthroughs, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and highlighting innovations across experimental and computational frontiers

This year’s program features a diverse and timely selection of breakout sessions, reflecting key areas of growth in the field. Topics include energy storage, emphasizing structural insights that enable next-generation energy technologies; AI and its applications in the development of emergent materials; novel materials with transformative properties; and the effects of extreme environments on structures, reveling details on dynamic processes and molecular motion that lead to biomolecular functions and a better understanding of complex soft materials.

Conference Web Page and Registration:  

https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/index.php 

Important dates:

April 21, 2025               General registration opens
July 31, 2025                Deadline to submit an abstract for an oral/poster presentation
September 19, 2025      General registration closes

Pre-event workshops:

PDF 101: A Hands on Tutorial to Total Scattering Methods (organizers: Milinda Abeykoon, Daniel Olds)

Hands-on Workshop: Crystal Clear Insights: Mastering Protein Crystallization (organizers: Crissy Traver, Vivian Stojanoff)

Evening Events:

Brookhaven National Lab facility tour.
Friday, October 10, 2025
https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/nsls2tour.php

Banquet Dinner
Danfords Hotel and Marina
25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

 

Awards Dinner
Charles B. Wang Center
100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

We are excited to announce the International School on Electron Crystallography, which will be held in the charming town of Erice, Italy, from 30 May - 7 June 2025. This event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and students in the field of electron crystallography to explore the latest developments and techniques.

Dates: 30 May - 7 June 2025

Location: Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, Erice, Italy

About the School:

The International School on Electron Crystallography offers a comprehensive learning experience for participants at all levels, from beginners to advanced researchers. Through lectures, hands-on tutorials, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain valuable insights into the principles and applications of electron crystallography, including electron diffraction, 3D electron diffraction (3D ED), structure determination, and the latest innovations in the field.

Key Topics:

Fundamentals of electron crystallography and diffraction

3D electron diffraction techniques

Structure determination of molecular and inorganic materials

Applications in nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and structural biology

Recent advances in instrumentation and data analysis

Who Should Attend:

The school is designed for students, postdocs, and professionals working in electron microscopy, crystallography, materials science, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines. Whether you are new to electron crystallography or looking to deepen your expertise, this school provides a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with experts in the field.

Travel and Grants:

Various travel grants from different organizations will be advertised on the school's webpage to support student participation.

How to Apply:

Details on registration, abstract submission, and travel grant applications will be made available on the official website: https://crystalerice.org/2025/

Join us in Erice for an inspiring week of learning, networking, and exploring the beautiful surroundings of Sicily!

For further information, please visit our website or contact the course directors: Alexander Eggeman (University of Manchester, UK), Mauro Gemmi (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, IT), Tatiana Gorelik (Forschungszentrum Juelich, DE).

What we will cover

In this virtual workshop, we will familiarise you with the Hermes GUI and learn how to set up and run a virtual screening campaign in GOLD. The session will include presentations and demonstrations by CCDC expert tutors and a hands-on part for you to try the software, with the tutors available to help you and answer your questions.

2025 Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC)

Hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory
October 9â€"12, 2025

On behalf of the Conference Committee, we are delighted to invite you to 82nd annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC). This year’s conference will be held October 9â€"12, 2025 at Brookhaven National Laboratory, on New York’s beautiful Long Island.

The Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference is one of the longest-running scientific meetings in North America focused on the advancement of structural science through diffraction-based methods. Bridging both life sciences and materials sciences, the conference brings together researchers who utilize laboratory-based instruments, X-ray light sources, electron diffraction, and neutron scattering to explore the structure and dynamics of matter. It serves as a vibrant forum for sharing recent scientific breakthroughs, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and highlighting innovations across experimental and computational frontiers

This year’s program features a diverse and timely selection of breakout sessions, reflecting key areas of growth in the field. Topics include energy storage, emphasizing structural insights that enable next-generation energy technologies; AI and its applications in the development of emergent materials; novel materials with transformative properties; and the effects of extreme environments on structures, reveling details on dynamic processes and molecular motion that lead to biomolecular functions and a better understanding of complex soft materials.

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Conference Web Page and Registration:Â Â

https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/index.phpÂ

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Important dates:

April 21, 2025Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â General registration opens
July 31, 2025Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Deadline to submit an abstract for an oral/poster presentation
September 19, 2025Â Â Â General registration closes

Pre-event workshops:

PDF 101: A Hands on Tutorial to Total Scattering Methods (organizers: Milinda Abeykoon, Daniel Olds)

Hands-on Workshop: Crystal Clear Insights: Mastering Protein Crystallization (organizers: Crissy Traver, Vivian Stojanoff)

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Evening Events:

Brookhaven National Lab facility tour.
Friday, October 10, 2025
https://www.bnl.gov/pittsburgh-diffraction-conference/nsls2tour.php

Banquet Dinner
Danfords Hotel and Marina
25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

Awards Dinner
Charles B. Wang Center
100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

The latest Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) 6.00 release brought many improvements and innovations. During this live webinar, we will explore the new and improved features and demonstrate them in Mercury and the CSD Python API.

1. The New Data Fields for Enhanced Analysis
   Discover how new fields let you filter for data quality and enhance downstream analyses of the over 1 million structures in the CSDs. Plus, look into computed MOF propertiesâ€"pore surface area, void diameter, dimensionalityâ€"now accessible in Mercury and via the CSD Python API.

2. Advanced Disorder Modelling
   See how disorder is no longer suppressedâ€"over 165,000 structures now feature fully modelled major and minor conformations. Learn to visualize and switch these in Mercury, utilise color-coded disorder components, and programmatically access disorder via APIâ€"improving clarity and insight in your workflows.

3. CSD 6.00 Data Format Upgrade & What’s Next
   Understand how CSD 6.00’s updated data format underpins both the new metadata and disorder features, and supports future enhancements. We’ll demonstrate how the format streamlines workflows, and preview some features in future releasesâ€"like expanded disorder, publication metadata, mmCIF support, and structure optimisation tools.

Who should attend:

• Crystallographers, materials scientists, and computational chemists;

• Researchers working with crystal structures.

The Polish Academy of Sciences Crystallography Committee sets itself the goal of increasing students' motivation to acquire knowledge in the field of crystallography, which is an important element of education of graduates of natural sciences and engineering. Since 2014, the National Crystallography Olympiad has been organized cyclically under the patronage of the Committee. In 2025, the 6th edition of this competition will be held.

The official announcement of the results and award ceremony will take place on June 26, 2025, as part of the 66th Polish Crystallographic Meeting in Wrocław.

• Â Â Â AlphaFold Training: Master the use of AlphaFold for accurate protein structural determination.
• Â Â Â Drug Discovery: Learn to use protein structures (AlphaFold2 and experimentally solved structures) to screen small molecule compound libraries.
• Â Â Â Structural Analysis: Participate in practical sessions on protein structural analysis and interpretation.
• Â Â Â Expert Lectures: Gain insights from leading professionals in the field.
• Â Â Â Networking: Build connections with peers and experts.

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 ACA Summer Course in Chemical Crystallography. The course will be held at Northwestern University from June 22nd through June 29th, 2025. To apply, please fill out the form. International attendees requiring a visa to enter the United States: There had been increasingly long processing periods in recent years to obtain B1 visa. If you are planning to apply for the Course, please contact us as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please email info@acasummercourse.net

During this webinar, Panče Naumov from the New York University Abu Dhabi, will explore the latest advancements in adaptive molecular single crystals and their potential applications in soft, lightweight, and biocompatible devices. As solid-state chemists and engineers shift their focus from crystal structure to the properties and functions of organic solids, we'll discuss the importance of these materials for high-efficiency energy storage systems. The highlights include challenges in reproducibility and scalability, as well as the innovative use of machine learning to uncover structure-function relationships that impact the dynamic performance of these crystals. It's a great opportunity to learn about the future of crystal adaptronics and its promise for various technological applications!

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 Who Should Attend?

- Solid-state chemists

- Crystal EngineersÂ

- Materials Scientists

- Crystallographers

- Researchers interested in organic solids and their applications.Â

- Engineers and industry professionals focused on energy storage solutions, sensors, and flexible electronics.

Exclusive live webinar â€" we are not sharing the recording!

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Tuesday 15th April 2025

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The Polish Crystallographic Meeting, Scientific Workshop and Session of the Young Crystallographers Sections of PCrA will be held at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Okólna 2 in Wrocław.

The Workshop is devoted to selected issues and problems of modern crystallography.

The Scientific Session of the Young Crystallographers Section of PCrAÂ is a forum for exchanging experiences addressed primarily to students, PhD students and young doctors (maximum 5 years after defense).

The topics of the Meeting include basic and applied research on the ideal and real structure of crystals carried out with the use of X-ray radiation obtained both with traditional methods and in synchrotrons, research with the use of neutrons and electrons, problems of symmetry, phase transformations and crystal growth, new research and computational methods and all other aspects of crystallography. The conference is an annual meeting place and a forum for exchanging ideas of all Polish crystallographers.

During the inauguration of the 66th Polish Crystallography Meeting, the winners of the 6th National Crystallography Olympiad will be decorated: http://olimpiadakrystalograficzna.pl.

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 ACA Summer Course in Chemical Crystallography. The course will be held at Northwestern University from June 22nd through June 29th, 2025. To apply, please fill out the form. International attendees requiring a visa to enter the United States: There had been increasingly long processing periods in recent years to obtain B1 visa. If you are planning to apply for the Course, please contact us as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please email info@acasummercourse.net