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resolution. The versatile nature of MX is exemplified by the study of how intestinal mucus safeguards cells from copper toxicity, offering in-depth molecular insights into cellular defence mechanisms. These findings carry implications for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating the harmful effects of heavy metals on human health (page 26). Additionally, remarkable MX experiments have shed light on the versatility of the SPOC protein domain, serving as a phosphoserine reader domain. This revelation holds significant implications for understanding the complex processes that govern gene expression, presenting potential targets for therapeutic interventions in conditions marked by dysregulated genes (page 28). Meanwhile, the elucidation of the quaternary structure of the glucocorticoid receptor by MX adds a critical piece to the puzzle of hormone signalling, unravelling the molecular mechanisms underpinning the effects of glucocorticoids and offering potential targets for therapeutic interventions (page 30). Lastly, exploring the intersection of metabolism and epigenetics, MX has revealed a novel link, providing insights into the metabolic molecular mechanisms that impact epigenetic regulation (page 32). This discovery opens avenues for investigating the intricate interplay between cellular metabolism and gene expression, with implications for understanding diseases where these processes become aberrant.

Shifting our focus to infectious diseases, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) at CM01 has unearthed how a bacterial pathogen evades the human immune system. This structural insight is pivotal for the development of targeted therapeutics and vaccines, offering a glimpse into the intricate strategies employed by pathogens to establish infections and evade host defences (page 34). The combination of cryo-EM, MX and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments at BM29 has provided a comprehensive understanding of how the cytokine storm propagates, a phenomenon central to various inflammatory diseases (page 36). This integrated approach illuminates

the molecular underpinnings of cytokine dysregulation, offering potential targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating inflammatory responses. A similar approach has been employed to investigate structural insights into innate immune evasion in human-infective African trypanosomes (page 38). This research provides a glimpse into the sophisticated strategies employed by pathogens to evade host immune responses, offering potential targets for therapeutic interventions against these infectious agents.

The stability of peptide assemblies forming nanostructures has been unravelled through the combined use of SAXS at BM29 and neutron scattering, shedding light on the structural characteristics that contribute to the unusual stability of these molecular arrangements. This knowledge lays the foundation for the design and development of innovative biomedical applications, in particular antibiotics (page 40).

Finally, employing an integrative biology approach, which incorporates cryo-EM at CM01 and the use of biophysical platforms within the Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB), scientists have investigated the regulation of bioenergetics in the initial phases of Alzheimer s disease (page 42). This comprehensive exploration of cellular and molecular changes provides critical insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, offering potential avenues for developing early diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic interventions.

In conclusion, the work presented in this chapter represents only a very small fraction of the science reported by our user community, but it underscores the transformative impact of EBS on advanced imaging and analytical techniques, paving the way for innovative solutions in healthcare and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery to understand the intricate interplay of biological processes.

M. SOLER LÓPEZ