been fully engaged in cutting-edge research on COVID-19. In addition to providing access to the macromolecular crystallography beamlines, the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) facility and the joint EMBL-ESRF-IBS-ILL services, the EBS has opened new perspectives for medical imaging, allowing unprecedented 3D scans of human organs affected by the virus, from anatomical to subcellular scales.

From health innovation, environment and energy to sustainable new materials, the ESRF is increasingly involved in new European and international advanced research projects. Like many facilities in the world, to support these ambitious developments, the ESRF is also engaged in a deep digital revolution: the implementation of a new digital ESRF programme that will enable ESRF users to get better and faster handling of their data with the scope of making the generation of new knowledge more efficient. Exciting times are ahead of us.

On behalf of my fellow Directors and the ESRF staff, I would like to warmly thank all our partner countries for their constant support, which has been, and is, vital to pioneering synchrotron science and tackling global challenges that are too complex to be solved by one country alone.

Finally, I extend my thanks to all who have contributed to this 2020 edition of the ESRF Highlights. I hope you will enjoy it and that it will inspire you for your next experiment with your new Extremely Brilliant Source.

FRANCESCO SETTE Director-General, ESRF