An ESRF COVID-19-related research project was among the 86 projects selected by the ANR, the French project-based funding agency for research, to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Based on the use of the cryo-EM platform, CM01, this project targets the non-structural polyprotein 3 (Nsp3) of SARS-CoV-2 as an important therapeutic target.

ANR funds ESRF COVID-19 project

World s X-ray science facilities develop COVID-19 action plan

5HIGHLIGHTS 2020

April

Francesco Sette confirmed as ESRF DG

ESRF scientist wins André Guinier award

June

At its 73rd session, the ESRF Council appointed Francesco Sette for a new term of office as the director- general of the ESRF. Sette s new four-year mandate will begin on 1 January 2021.

ESRF scientist Vincent Favre-Nicolin was awarded the first André Guinier prize by the French Association of Crystallographers (AFC). The prize, which he shares jointly with Gérard Bricogne, is a recognition attributed to a confirmed crystallographer who has played a major role in the world of crystallography.

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An international network of X-ray science facilities (synchrotrons and XFELS) assembled for a remote-access video SR20 Summit on 23-24 April 2020 in order to share experience and develop a cooperative strategy across all facilities worldwide to work jointly to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alan Agar medal awarded to ESRF scientist

ESRF scientist Alexandra Pacureanu was named as the Royal Microscopy Society s 2021 winner of the Alan Agar Medal for Electron Microscopy. Pacureanu developed and applied X-ray holographic nanotomography on beamline ID16A, enabling imaging of large intact tissue samples with similar contrast and structural resolution to electron microscopy.

July

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