The Institute of Crystallography deals with research in the field of chemistry, physics, structural and functional biology, with studies in human and animal health, in the health of ecosystems, and in new materials with applications in energy, environment, medicine.
The Institute of Crystallography (IC) is the result of two unifications:
The first, in 2002, between the Research Institute for the Development of Crystallographic Methodologies, based in Bari, and the Institute of Structural Chemistry “Giordano Giacomello”, based in the Research Area of Rome 1, Montelibretti, which took place under the direction of Prof. Carmelo Giacovazzo.
The second, in 2019, with a part of the IBB – Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages of Catania, which took place under the direction of Dr. Michele Saviano. In recent years, the biological and pharmaceutical expertise has further expanded.
In recent years, the Institute has achieved considerable national and international visibility, which over the years has been further consolidated, thanks also to the integration of skills in the disciplinary areas of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The thematic areas are:
• development of crystallographic methodologies and computing programs for the study of crystalline and non-crystalline matter using X-rays, electrons, and neutrons;
• multiscale structural studies of inorganic, organic, nanomaterials, and biomaterials;
• synthesis and structural, compositional, and functional characterization of biomolecules and their complexes with ligands, using solid-phase techniques, solution, and computational modeling approaches;
• development of biosensing or biocatalytic systems;
• development of instrumentation and experimental techniques, such as non-destructive imaging for structural and biostructural studies with laboratory sources in large-scale infrastructures.
