One of the reasons – Scientists can develop cures for diseases of particular relevance to Africa, that may not be receiving sufficient research attention. The idea from structural biology is that structural information helps to elucidate protein function and, in particular, the mechanisms of enzymes. This understanding inspires the design of new drugs Synchrotrons are… Read More Why Africa needs a Light Source !
The title of the article Q&A: Herman Winick, accelerator physicist and human rights activist in Physics Today, 7 May 2019, is changed slightly in the title above to emphasise Herman’s Winick’s contribution to bringing large scale science infrastructures to the developing world, in particular, his contribution to the African Light Source Project.
The Roadmap towards the African Light Source received a boost on the 27th March, a series of presentation to mark the launch of the START Programme. The acronym is for Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology and it includes a grant of £3.7M grant to support capacity building and research access to Diamond by African scientists.… Read More AfLS attends START Launch Event (Mar 2019)
The second African Light Source Conference AfLS2, took place in Accra, Ghana from 28 Jan – 3 Feb 2019. It was held in parallel with the second Pan African Conference on Crystallography PCCr2. The conference was an opportunity to showcase African Science conducted at international light sources, to assess the evolving capacity of light sources… Read More AfLS2 in Accra, Ghana (Feb 2019)
The Biophysics & Structural Biology at Synchrotrons workshopl took place from 17-24 January 2019 in Capetown. The aim is to introduce young bioscience researchers to the power of synchrotron based facilities. Here the bioscientists can learn with theoretical and practical sessions to carry out molecular structure determinations leading to vaccine design, drug discovery, industrial enzymology and agrochemicals.… Read More Biophysics & Structural Biology at Synchrotrons (Jan 2019)
Science Forum South Africa took place from 12-14 December 2018. This events attracts thousands of delegates from all over Africa, including very senior government policy makers. The AfLS and all the South African Synchrotron Users jointly ran a session called A Brighter light for African Science – Towards dramatically improved research and the associated benefits for science… Read More AfLS at Science Forum SA (Dec 2018)
An important dual event in Abidjan in 22-31 March 2018 was the Inauguration of Diffractometers and IUCr-UNESCO Bruker OpenLab at Abidjan, Laboratory of Crystallography and Molecular Physics Felix Houphouet Boigny University (Ivory Coast) and also the The IUCr-UNESCO OpenLab event. Several AfLS Steering Committee members were involved. At this time the alliance with the Pan… Read More AfLS goes to Abidjan (Mar 2018)
Science Forum South Africa took place from 7-8 December 2017. This events attracts thousands of delegates from all over Africa, including very senior government policy makers. There were two presentations A Network of Compact Advanced Lightsources in Africa – Dr Michael Feser (Lyncean Technologies) Structural Biology: X-Ray Crystallography and Cryo Electron Microscopy for Drug and Materials… Read More AfLS at Science Forum SA (Dec 2017)
The AfLS was resented at a special session of the World Science Forum 7-11 Nov 2017. called Light Sources and Crystallographic Sciences for Sustainable Development. The session theme maintained that because of their high costs and multidisciplinary use, large-scale synchrotron light sources facilities provide strong opportunities for integration through networking and cost-sharing, and promote multi-disciplinary… Read More AfLS at the World Science Forum (Nov 2017)
Simon Connell presented the AfLS to the UNESCO International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP) Board. UNESCO played a key role in the establishment and support of SESAME. The meeting was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The Scientific Board provides advice to the Director-General, especially on IBSP’s activities relating to capacity building in training and research… Read More AfLS at UNESCO-IBSP (Jan 2017)