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generation K3 detector. This upgrade increased not only the speed of data collection (up to 1500 Hz) but also enlarged the field of view by 60 %. ID23-1 also saw a detector upgrade. Here, a first-generation Pilatus 6M detector was replaced by an Eiger2 16M CdTe detector, optimising this beamline for diffraction data collection using higher energy photons. ID23-1 also saw the replacement of its ageing MD2M diffractometer by a latest-generation MD2S device, giving users of the beamline the same functionality as on all other MX end-stations. A third detector, this time an Eiger2 9M, has been ordered for the group s MX beamlines and is foreseen to be installed in the first half of 2022.

ID30A-1, also known as MASSIF-1, saw the installation, in collaboration with the EMBL, of a CrystalDirect® harvester. This new device will be made available to users soon and will allow the beamline to provide a fully automatic pipeline from crystal harvesting to diffraction data collection and processing. BM29 has seen several software upgrades (mainly concerning BSXCuBE, a data processing pipeline and ISPyB/EXI) as well as the testing of a new setup to allow scattering data to be collected from microfluidic chips. Last but not least, the icOS in-crystallo optical spectroscopy laboratory has installed a new time-resolved setup based around a nanosecond laser. Currently being commissioned, this setup will allow time-resolved spectroscopic data to be recorded from crystals and solutions both in stand-alone experiments and in those aimed at preparing experiments that will be performed on ID29/EBSL8 in the near future.

We should also note here that Jean Susini, director of research for life sciences, left the ESRF in April to take on a new position as director for life sciences at the SOLEIL synchrotron near Paris. We would like to take this opportunity both to thank Jean for his support of structural biology at the ESRF over a period of many years and to welcome Annalisa Pastore as the new director of research, officially starting from January 2022.

The following selection of highlights shows the breadth of the science that was performed at the structural biology beamlines and the ancillary facilities from very diverse projects using complementary techniques. We hope you enjoy reading them

C. MUELLER-DIECKMANN AND G. LEONARD