The eighth National Symposium of Cryo-EM and Structural Biology (NSCEM2023) was held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, from Sept 17 to 20.

Participants of the eighth National Symposium of Cryo-EM and Structural Biology pose for a group photo. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

Hosted by the Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup of the Biophysical Society of China (BSC), this biennial event brought together more than 600 experts and scholars. Themed "Cryo-EM in Medicine and Health", the symposium featured 53 engaging presentations, including five plenary reports and 48 special reports. 

Wang Hongwei, vice-president of the BSC and president of the society’s Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup, delivers an opening speech. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

In his opening speech, Wang Hongwei, vice-president of the BSC and president of the society’s Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup, reflected on the development of cryo-EM in China.

He noted that the NSCEM, held every two years, has become one of the most significant events in the academic field in China. 

The first session saw around 30 participants, while this year's event attracted over 600 attendees from both domestic and international institutions, Wang said.

The subsequent academic speeches delved into various aspects of cryo-EM, including its applications in biomedicine, in situ structural biology and research on complex biological structures, new technologies and methods in cryo-EM, and AI-assisted cryo-EM and structural biology. A poster presentation was also held, which allowed participants to share their research findings. 

Sui Senfang (1st, L), honorary council member of the BSC and honorary president of the society’s Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup, presents researchers with certificates for the best poster awards together with Li Xueming (1st, R), vice-president of the subgroup. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

Sun Fei, executive council member of the BSC and vice-president of the society’s Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup, delivers closing remarks. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The symposium concluded with closing remarks given by Sun Fei, executive council member of the BSC and vice-president of the society’s Cryo-electron Microscopy Academic Subgroup. 

The event offered an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and foster collaborations, which will further advance the development of cryo-EM and promote interdisciplinary integration with related disciplines, Sun noted.