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STFC computational crystallography project wins Royal Society of Chemistry Award

11 Jul 2011 12:44 PM

A project established more than 30 years ago to promote collaboration between UK groups writing software for macromolecular crystallography, an X-ray technique used to study biological molecules such as proteins, viruses and nucleic acids, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry's Rita and John Cornforth Award 2011. The award was made to the CCP4 project (link opens in a new window) to recognise its importance as an essential resource for macromolecular structural chemistry worldwide, and its exemplary team ethos.

Over the 32 years of its existence, CCP4 has evolved to fulfil two main roles: the production and support of an integrated suite of programs for macromolecular X-ray crystallography, and the dissemination of theory and best practice to the growing international body of researchers using the technique.

CCP4 plays a key role in the education and training of scientists in experimental structural biology by encouraging the broad dissemination of new ideas, techniques and practice. Its flagship annual study weekend attracts around 500 UK and international crystallographers who exchange experiences and ideas in computational crystallography.

The project also operates a widely used online bulletin board. With queries and contributions from crystallographers around the world, from within and beyond the CCP4 team, this resource is probably the world's most complete repository of knowledge about the theory and practice of macromolecular crystallography.

CCP4 is coordinated by STFC's Computational Science and Engineering department and is based in the Research Complex at Harwell (link opens in a new window). It is also supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC (link opens in a new window) and the Medical Research Council (MRC (link opens in a new window)).

You can read more about the CCP4's award on the RSC web site (link opens in a new window).