March 2021 ESRFnews 5
EDITORIAL
Editor Jon Cartwright Tel +44 (0)117 2303080 E-mail jon.a.cartwright@ icloud.com
Editorial committee Nick Brookes Delphine Chenevier Andy Fitch Michael Krisch Gordon Leonard Joanne McCarthy Edward Mitchell Qing Qin Harald Reichert Francesco Sette Jean Susini
Subscription Chantal Argoud For subscriptions to the digital version of ESRFnews (print subscriptions are no longer possible), visit www. esrf.eu/UsersAndScience/ Publications/Newsletter
ESRFnews is produced for the ESRF by: IOP Publishing Temple Circus Temple Way Bristol BS1 6HG, UK Tel +44 (0)117 929 7481 www.ioppublishing.org
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Advertisement production Mark Trimnell Marketing and circulation Laura Gillham
ISSN 1011-9310
©2021 ESRF
ESRF news
In these challenging times, thanks to the dedication of ESRF and CRG beamline staff, campus colleagues (EMBL, IBS and ILL) and users, we have been able to keep science at the forefront. The ESRF s new Extremely Brilliant Source and its beamlines have continued to operate in a COVID-19-safe environment, and users have carried out their experiments mainly remotely. Now we are beginning to see the first EBS data, with ground-breaking applications emerging in health, environment, energy, and sustainable-materials research. We are proud that the EBS s cutting- edge capabilities are increasingly being sought in new European and international advanced research projects, as you will see in this issue of ESRFnews. Imagine studying the lung s complex
vascular system in three dimensions down to individual red blood cells, or even being able to compile a complete atlas of the body in various states of health and disease. An international, multidisciplinary team of researchers including synchrotron imaging scientists at University College London in the UK and the ESRF, and medical teams in Germany are using new EBS deep-imaging capabilities to turn these dreams into reality. The first data herald a revolution in histology and in our physiological understanding of disease, including COVID-19, and have led to a $1 m ( 820 k) grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. This new analytical capability brings human-body imaging to a new dimension, and the ability to link anatomical structures to the body s physiology and functions reminds us of Leonardo da Vinci, who started this systematic work with his anatomical drawings made in Milan more than 500 years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust science to the centre stage, with governments
turning to scientists for advice before taking decisions and implementing measures. But the world after COVID-19 will need to be driven by a shared, long-term commitment to knowledge and scientific excellence without frontiers. Only in that way will we be able to collectively address the complex challenges facing our society, and to anticipate and face crises that impact on both human health and the health of our planet.
Francesco Sette ESRF director- general
Extremely brilliant data
Leonardo da Vinci started this work with his anatomical drawings made more than 500 years ago
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