Speaker
Prof.
RIchard Garratt
(University of São Paulo)
Description
Protein crystallography in Brazil really took off in the late 1980s and had its origins in São Carlos, where a group of small-molecule crystallographers was already well established. At that time it was necessary to overcome the skepticism of the scientific community who perceived protein crystallography to be an overly complex and sophisticated discipline for the existing infrastructure and knowhow. However, at about the same time, the first steps were also being taken in the construction of a synchrotron light source at Campinas in the state of São Paulo. This proved to be a critical ingredient because the presence of the synchrotron provided the catalysis for growing the PX community, which is now widespread and thriving throughout the country. Nevertheless the building of the first low-energy machine (UVX) also initially required overcoming significant skepticism. A second machine is now close to
completion and promises to offer first-rate facilities for frontier research in Latin America. Is the user community prepared?
Summary
Acknowledgements: The Brazilian funding agencies, CNPq and FAPESP, have been fundamental in maintaining our group, and others, over the last few decades.
Primary author
Prof.
RIchard Garratt
(University of São Paulo)
