In recent years, the sequencing of the human genome has enabled researchers to understand the full complement of genes which define the blueprint of human life. The next challenge for researchers is to understand the role of the molecules that are encoded by the genes and carry out their instructions. Acting alone or in groups, proteins a-re the essential active constituents of cells and perform most of an o-rganism’s biological functions.

Understanding of proteins and their role in molecular machines rem-ains a huge challenge. Structural Biology addresses that challenge b-y focusing on deciphering the three-dimensional shape or “structure” of these molecules, as their structure is intrinsic to their function in t-he cell.

Each of the different technologies of Structural Biology - X-ray Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Reson-ance Spectrometry, and Cryoelectron Microscopy-provides detailed images of proteins that give scientis-ts insights as to how these critical units function.

This establishment of SCSB will play a very important role in structural biology field progress in Republic of Korea and the United states. By cooperating other centers and laboratories of structural biology, SC-SB will emerge as one of the most advanced center for structural biology research.

I sincerely appreciated the efforts for establishing SCSB and wish a very good future ahead.

Thank you.