Schedule

African Crystallographic Association
Keynote

XAFS
Keynote

Keynote

Co-Chairs: Markus Wahl & Cynthia Wolberger Sponsoring Commission: Biological Macromolecules This session will cover fundamental cellular processes governed by interactions between proteins and nucleic acids, from chromatin remodeling to translation, including transcription regulation, splicing, and RNA processing.

Biological Macromolecules

Co-Chairs: Aled Edwards & Wladek Minor Sponsoring Commission: Biological Macromolecules Large-scale NIH projects like Structural Genomics have had a significant impact over the past decade, shaping structural biology, drug discovery, and computational modeling. The legacy of SG includes databases, new computational tools, method standardization, and thousands of new structures that enabled the development of AI systems such as AlphaFold.

Biological Macromolecules

Co-Chairs: Josie Auckett & Enrico Giannini Sponsoring Commission: Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials Co-Sponsoring Commission: Quantum Crystallography We invite contributions on crystal growth and characterization studies of a variety of quantum materials. Contributions will focus on recent developments in the growth and investigation of superconductors (novel and unconventional), low-dimensional materials, magnetic and multiferroic materials, Weyl semimetals, Dirac materials, and other topological materials.

Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials
Quantum Crystallography

Co-Chairs: Tyler B. Martin & Orion Shih Sponsoring Commission: Small Angle Scattering Co-Sponsoring Commission: Neutron Scattering Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) have developed into major techniques widely used in materials science, chemistry, and biology. Recent and upcoming upgrades at synchrotron and neutron sources, as well as advances in high-brightness home X-ray sources, provide opportunities for even greater advances in small-angle scattering instrumentation across a wide range of applications. This session will highlight new developments and capabilities in SAXS/SANS instrumentation from both large facilities and home sources, including hardware, software, and sample environments.

Neutron Scattering
Small-Angle Scattering

Co-Chairs: Maria Angeles Laguna-Marco & Laurent Chapon Sponsoring Commission: XAFS Co-Sponsoring Commission: Magnetic Structures Supporting Commission: Powder Diffraction Though neutron scattering has long been the gold standard for probing the interplay between magnetic structure and physical properties in materials, modern synchrotron X-ray sources provide complementary methods for investigating magnetic systems. Synchrotrons offer exceptionally high flux and coherence, nanoscale spatial resolution, and unique spectroscopic capabilities involving resonant and non-resonant X-ray beams in either absorption or emission modes. Magnetic X-ray spectroscopies are especially useful in situations where neutrons face intrinsic limitations, such as thin films and interfaces, very small crystals, and materials with high neutron absorption rates. They can also be employed under extreme temperatures, pressures, and magnetic fields. Notably, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and X-ray magnetic linear dichroism (XMLD) techniques probe the microscopic origins of exchange interactions and magnetic anisotropy and enable the separation of charge, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom. This session will highlight both methods and materials. We encourage contributions that showcase advancements in instrumentation, data analysis tools, and innovative X-ray scattering techniques (e.g., XMCD combined with resonant inelastic scattering of hard X-rays at the K-edge for a dichroic signal comparable to the L-edge), as well as applications of existing methods to new magnetic materials.

Magnetic Structures
Powder Diffraction
XAFS

Co-Chairs: Ray Osborn & Bo Iversen Sponsoring Commission: Aperiodic Crystals This session will focus on the application of three-dimensional pair-distribution functions to better understand advanced materials and structural systems. Contributions that leverage cutting-edge diffraction methods, including multimodal approaches and time-resolved techniques, are strongly encouraged.

Aperiodic Crystals

Co-Chairs: Valentina Colombo & Jinhee Park Sponsoring Commission: Structural Chemistry This microsymposium will focus on the rational design and controlled synthesis of coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), exploring how periodic architectures can be tailored for specific functionalities. These materials have attracted broad interest due to their versatility in applications such as gas storage, catalysis, drug delivery, and sensing. The session will highlight innovative strategies for framework synthesis, structural characterization, and post-synthetic modifications, emphasizing the central role of crystallography in understanding and predicting material properties. Key topics include design principles for achieving target functionalities, the influence of metal-ligand coordination on stability, the development of novel building blocks, and the controlled defect engineering to tune material properties.

Structural Chemistry

Co-Chairs: Gemma Martinez Criado, Leonard Chavas Sponsoring Commission: Synchrotron and XFEL Radiation In vivo crystallography is emerging as a powerful method for studying protein structures in their native cellular environments, offering new insights into biomolecular function and interactions. Unlike traditional in vitro approaches, in vivo-grown crystals can provide structural information under physiological conditions, capturing transient states and biologically relevant conformations. When combined with synchrotron radiation, this technique enables high-resolution diffraction studies without extensive sample manipulation. With the continuous evolution of synchrotron sources, including fourth-generation storage rings and microfocused beamlines, in vivo crystallography is becoming increasingly feasible. Advances in diffraction data collection, sample preparation, and in situ analysis have opened new frontiers for structure determination of challenging targets, including membrane proteins, large macromolecular complexes, and proteins that are difficult to crystallize in vitro. This session will highlight the latest developments in in vivo crystallization, data acquisition strategies, and the role of synchrotron facilities in supporting these studies.

Synchrotron and XFEL Radiation

Co-Chairs: Philippe Boullay & Stephanie Kodjikian Sponsoring Commission: Electron Crystallography Co-Chairs: Philippe Boullay & Stephanie Kodjikian Many interesting compounds, both natural and synthetic, are crystallized in nanocrystalline form. While the first crystallization of nanomaterials involved simple crystal structures, more complex nanomaterials are now driving the need for improved ad hoc structure solution methods. This session is devoted to the recent development of electron and X-ray diffraction techniques that are applied to the structure determination of new inorganic compounds that may otherwise be challenging due to small crystal and/or crystalline domain sizes. Crystallographic tools able to elucidate the crystal structure of nanomaterials are mandatory for modern materials science. This session will be a bridge between novel synthesis approaches, such as mechanochemistry, and advanced X-ray and electron diffraction nanobeam techniques which can provide crystal structures from nanocrystalline powder, supported thin films, or a nanocrystalline domain inside a matrix. Additionally, these same techniques, applied to mineralogy, will shed new light on the petrology of extreme conditions and rare nanominerals.

Electron Crystallography

Co-Chairs: Vitali Prakapenka & Xiancheng Wang Sponsoring Commission: High Pressure Co-Sponsoring Commission: Crystallography of Materials Hydrogen-bearing compounds have attracted extensive attention due to their distinctive physical and chemical properties under extreme pressures and temperatures, leading to the formation of new compounds or metastable phases with unique characteristics relevant to hydrogen storage technologies, room-temperature superconductors, and hydrogen-rich minerals and ices in planetary interiors. This microsymposium will focus on interdisciplinary research advancing the technology, characterization, and application of hydrogen-bearing materials synthesized at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. Theoretical contributions will cover cutting-edge predictions using computational modeling to design novel phases with diverse hydrogen bonding and structures. Experimental presentations will address high-pressure synthesis techniques and innovative approaches for stabilizing hydrogen phases, including super-hydrates. The session will also highlight advanced in situ characterization of structural and physical properties using state-of-the-art techniques available in laboratories and large facilities, including electrical transport measurements, magnetic susceptibility analysis, and elastic and structural determination with X-ray and optical methods. This microsymposium aims to foster collaboration between theoretical and experimental groups to accelerate breakthroughs in hydrogen-bearing materials research.

Crystallography of Materials
High Pressure

Organizers: Santosh Panjikar & Martin Lutz The Software Fayre at the 27th IUCr Congress (Calgary, August 11-18, 2026) offers a forum for developers to present new crystallographic software and demonstrate their features through hands-on tutorials. The Fayre will be held August 12-18, with time slots available for registration.

Crystallographic Computing

Co-Chairs: Hideaki Kato, Giovanna Scapin Sponsoring Commission: Biological Macromolecules Membrane proteins play a crucial role in cell physiology, acting as receptors and transporters of solutes. A significant number of small-molecule drugs target human membrane proteins, including the most extensively studied group, G protein-coupled receptors, as well as ion channels and metabolite transporters. This session will explore the structure-function relationships of these key classes of membrane proteins.

Biological Macromolecules

Co-Chairs: Brendan Kennedy & Patrick Woodward Sponsoring Commission: Magnetic Structures Co-Sponsoring Commission: Powder Diffraction Supporting Commission: Inorganic and Mineral Structures The broader perovskite structure family combines a simple crystal motif with a great diversity of cation compositions and framework dimensions, which then drive a remarkable variety of physical properties. This session will focus on electronic, magnetic, and optical structure-property relationships and applications in novel perovskite and perovskite-related materials of both the inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic varieties, and may also touch on other important material classes.

Inorganic and Mineral Structures
Magnetic Structures
Powder Diffraction

Co-Chairs: James K Harper & Veronica Celorrio Remartinez Sponsoring Commission: NMR Crystallography and Related Methods Co-Sponsoring Commission: XAFS This microsymposium will highlight advanced characterization techniques used to elucidate the local structure and dynamics of a wide range of sustainable and energy materials, including energy storage and conversion systems (e.g., metal-air batteries and fuel cells), MOFs, ion-conducting oxides, zeolites, layered double hydroxides, and complex oxide phases. Understanding local structure and dynamics is essential for linking material properties to their functional behavior. The session will focus on the application of NMR crystallography and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to obtain element-specific information about the local and electronic structure of these materials across different length and time scales. Particular emphasis will be placed on the potential synergies between NMR and XAS in providing deeper insight into the functional properties of complex systems. The complementarity of these approaches, together with their applicability to real-life conditions, makes NMR and XAS powerful tools for probing reaction processes in sustainable materials. The in-depth understanding gained through these studies is significant for guiding the design of new materials and advancing more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. This microsymposium will form part of a two-part series dedicated to sustainable materials.

NMR Crystallography and Related Methods
XAFS

Co-Chairs: Parthapratim Munshi & Ulf Ryde Sponsoring Commission: Quantum Crystallography Co-Sponsoring Commission: Biological Macromolecules Quantum crystallography plays an important role in advancing the understanding of biological systems because it explores molecular structure and interactions at the atomic level through the effects of electron distribution. Better characterization and modeling of electron density in biological molecules offer deeper insights into biomolecular bonding and reaction mechanisms. This is particularly relevant to understanding enzyme catalysis, protein-ligand interactions, and the structural basis of diseases. Drug design can be enhanced by accurately modeling how pharmaceuticals interact with biological targets, leading to improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Moreover, quantum crystallography provides insight into the role of weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, in stabilizing complex biological structures. Quantum crystallography is indispensable in the study of biological systems because deeper insights require the increased level of detail that quantum crystallography provides.

Biological Macromolecules
Quantum Crystallography

Co-Chairs: Solenn Reguer & Antonella Scherillo Sponsoring Commission: XAFS Co-Sponsoring Commission: Crystallography in Art and Cultural Heritage X-ray spectroscopy, neutron, and muon techniques are widely used for the study and conservation of artistic, historical, and archaeological materials and artifacts. The chemical selectivity of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), combined with its high sensitivity, makes it an ideal tool for investigating complex and heterogeneous materials. Its ability to perform chemical mapping with high spatial resolution is particularly valuable, as it provides information about local composition and chemical states of selected elements in a sample. Muon- and neutron-based methods such as imaging and bulk elemental analysis are also well-established research tools in cultural heritage, as they reveal the internal composition, structure, and microstructure of objects that may otherwise be hidden from view and inaccessible to other analytical probes. The aim of this microsymposium is to demonstrate the applicability of XAS, muon, and neutron methods for studying historically and archaeologically valuable artifacts, illuminating aspects of their fabrication and methods for conserving them for future generations.

Crystallography in Art and Cultural Heritage
XAFS

Co-Chairs: Larry Falvello & Kathryn Cowtan Sponsoring Commission: Crystallographic Computing Most students learn programming as part of their curriculum. Nevertheless, the application of this knowledge to crystallographic purposes is limited. The aim of this microsymposium is to present courses, seminars, and tools for crystallographic computing education. These efforts can range from small ad hoc routines to larger projects. The use of crystallographic, general scientific, statistical, and graphical libraries for teaching is encouraged. Teaching websites may be presented, as well as examples of setting up appropriate computing infrastructures.

Crystallographic Computing

Co-Chairs: Susan Bourne Sponsoring Commission: Structural Chemistry This microsymposium will explore the critical role of non-covalent interactions in the rational design of functional materials. By leveraging a diverse toolbox of interactions, researchers can tailor material properties for a wide range of applications, from pharmaceuticals to advanced materials. The session will highlight cutting-edge research on the characterization and manipulation of these interactions using crystallographic techniques. Key topics will include the principles governing the formation and strength of hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, and the full spectrum of weaker interactions; the synergistic effects of multiple interactions; and case studies demonstrating the successful design of materials with desired functionalities. By carefully controlling intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, and other non-covalent interactions, we can create materials with specific properties such as desired melting points, solubility, viscosity, and mechanical strength. This is realized by adjusting the molecular structure to encourage or block certain interactions. However, designing these materials comes with challenges, such as the simultaneous operation of multiple types of intermolecular interactions and the significant effects of external factors such as temperature and solvent. With the field of crystal engineering advancing rapidly, it is timely to host a microsymposium on the wide range of interactions that can be used to design innovative materials.

Structural Chemistry

Co-Chairs: Cristy Nonato & Bernie Santarsiero Sponsoring Commission: IUCr Early Career Scientist Division This microsymposium brings together contributions from experts who have been addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and examining how scientific organizations can foster more inclusive and fair spaces. It explores how these environments promote a sense of belonging, increase the relevance of our Union, and are perceived across different stages of scientific life, with particular attention to younger generations of structural scientists. The session also reviews the progress achieved so far, highlights the challenges that remain, and discusses strategies to build a more inclusive and broader community.

IUCr Early Career Scientist Division

Co-Chairs: Sarah Bowman & Xiaodong Zou Sponsoring Commission: Electron Crystallography Co-Sponsoring Commission: Synchrotron and XFEL Radiation Supporting Commission: Structural Chemistry X-ray and electron crystallography are powerful techniques for determining the atomic structures of a wide range of materials, from biological macromolecules to complex inorganic and organic compounds. While X-ray crystallography remains a primary method for high-resolution structure determination, electron crystallography is emerging as a complementary technique, particularly for submicron-sized crystals and challenging samples that are difficult to study using traditional methods. This microsymposium will explore the latest advancements in both techniques, including hybrid and serial approaches that leverage their respective strengths. Topics will include advances in sample preparation, data collection, processing algorithms, serial diffraction, and applications in structural biology, materials science, and chemistry.

Electron Crystallography
Structural Chemistry
Synchrotron and XFEL Radiation

Co-Chairs: Ricardo Donizeth dos Reis Sponsoring Commission: High Pressure This microsymposium will focus on the combined use of computational modeling and experimental methods to study materials under extreme conditions. Emphasis will be placed on advanced techniques, including grazing-incidence methods, reciprocal space mapping, and reflectometry, which reveal interfacial phenomena and nanoscale structure-property relationships. Contributions highlighting the integration of simulations with experimental data to achieve deeper insights into material behavior are strongly encouraged.

High Pressure

Structural Chemistry
Keynote

Biological Macromolecules
Keynote

Keynote