AsCA 2025: Advancing Crystallography and Structural Science in the Asia–Oceania Region

The 19th Conference of the Asian Crystallographic Association (AsCA 2025), jointly hosted by Taiwan and Japan, was successfully held at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), Taipei, Taiwan, from 1 to 6 December 2025. The conference was organized by the International Union of Crystallography Committee of ROC, the Taiwan Crystallographic Group, the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) in Taiwan, and the Crystallographic Society of Japan (CrSJ), with additional support from Academia Sinica, the NCKU Center of Crystal Research, and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in Taiwan as co-organizers.

As one of the major regional conferences associated with the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), AsCA 2025 provided an important platform for presenting recent scientific advances and strengthening collaboration in crystallography and structural science across the Asia–Oceania region and beyond.

Organization and Scientific Program

AsCA 2025 was co-chaired by Professors Chun-Jung Chen (Taiwan) and Atsushi Nakagawa (Japan), working closely with a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of 25 members from Taiwan and Japan and an International Program Committee (IPC) comprising 39 international representatives. The scientific program was extensive and well balanced, consisting of 66 sessions in total. These included four plenary lectures, seven keynote lectures, 35 microsymposia, two flash presentation sessions, two Rising Star sessions, two poster sessions, three exhibitor luncheon seminars, one CrSJ Award session, two AsCA Council meetings, one CrSJ Assembly, and one Taiwan Crystallographic Group Assembly.

In addition, four pre-conference workshops were held in Taipei, followed by two post-conference workshops in Taipei (Taiwan) and Okinawa (Japan), respectively. Together, the sessions, workshops and seminars covered fundamental and applied crystallography, structural biology, materials science, instrumentation, data analysis and emerging technologies. The workshops were particularly well received, providing hands-on experience with advanced methods, instrumentation and specialized software, and enabling participants to apply state-of-the-art techniques to diverse research challenges.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony began with an energetic traditional drum performance symbolizing dynamic rhythm of unity, collaboration, progressive spirit of the crystallographic community, while highlighting the cultural heritage of Taiwan. Conference Co-Chairs Professors Chun-Jung Chen and Atsushi Nakagawa welcomed participants and expressed their gratitude to the organizing teams and attendees, emphasizing the importance of AsCA 2025 as a platform for scientific dialogue and regional partnership.

Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Cheng-Wen Wu, Minister of NSTC of Taiwan; Prof. Santiago García-Granda, President of IUCr; and Prof. Genji Kurisu, President of AsCA. Their addresses highlighted the significance of international collaboration and emphasized the pivotal contributions of crystallography and research facilities in advancing contemporary structural science. Academician Yu Wang (National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica) then presented a historical overview of AsCA, reflecting on its development and contributions to the Asia–Oceania crystallographic community. The ceremony concluded with a ceremonial drumming session involving invited guests, marking the official opening of AsCA 2025.

Participation and Scientific Highlights

The conference attracted 733 participants (510 male, 215 female, and 8 who preferred not to disclose gender) from 28 countries, reflecting strong international engagement and the growing influence of crystallography and structural science in the region. The core scientific program comprised 35 parallel microsymposium sessions across four meeting rooms, spanning six major disciplines: structural biology, chemical crystallography, physics, materials science, instrumentation and technology, and data science.

These sessions featured 115 invited speakers, including four plenary lecturers—Professors Ma. Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas (Philippines), Yun Liu (Australia), Shun-ichi Sekine (Japan), and Seikh Mohammad Yusuf (India)—and seven keynote speakers. Their presentations highlighted cutting-edge methodologies, innovative applications of large-scale facilities, and interdisciplinary approaches that are shaping current and future developments in crystallography and structural science.

The conference additionally received 430 contributed abstracts, of which 104 were selected for oral presentations and 326 for poster presentations. This format provided opportunities for researchers at all career stages to present their work and engage in scientific discussion. Moreover, generous support from 25 international companies and organizations enabled the establishment of 21 exhibition booths, which enhanced the scientific communications and promoted participants’ research during the conference.

Awards and Support for Early-Career Researchers

AsCA 2025 placed strong emphasis on recognizing excellence and supporting early-career researchers by featuring several awards, which were adjudicated by an external committee comprising esteemed members and judges. Four Rising Star Awards honored four exceptional early-career researchers, with equal representation across the biological and non-biological research areas. Seventeen Poster Awards were conferred, including seven PDBj Awards for biological research and ten Rigaku Awards for non-biological research. Two Audience Spotlight Poster Awards were given to promote interaction during poster sessions.

In addition, eight Travel Fund Awards supported the participation of young researchers from the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, Poland and India. Financial support from the IUCr, through the young scientist-related awards and travel fund, is gratefully acknowledged. Moreover, two CrSJ-Award talks recognized outstanding scientific contributions in biological and non-biological fields. Collectively, these initiatives underscored AsCA’s commitment to inclusivity, mentorship and the development of the next generation of crystallographers.

Social Program and Networking

Beyond the scientific sessions, AsCA 2025 featured a rich social program designed to foster networking, friendship, and informal interaction among participants. Events included a welcome reception at TICC, a young scientist mixer gathering at Another Round Taipei, and a conference banquet featuring Aboriginal cultural performances and pup music following an exclusive and historical secret-tunnel tour at the Grand Hotel. International delegates were also offered complimentary access to the Taipei 101 Observatory.

Participants visited the Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) at NSRRC and enjoyed local sightseeing and an evening meal in the Hsinchu region. These activities created valuable opportunities for cross-generational and interdisciplinary engagement, and were particularly appreciated by early-career researchers seeking to connect with established scientists in an informal setting.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony drew a full audience and opened with remarks from the Conference Co-Chairs, Prof. Chun-Jung Chen and Prof. Atsushi Nakagawa, who thanked participants and organizing committees for their strong engagement throughout the week. The high attendance observed even during the final session was highlighted as evidence of the scientific community's unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. Following these remarks, a series of prestigious awards were presented, including the Rising Star Awards, PDBj and Rigaku Best Poster Awards, Audience Spotlight Awards and a Lucky Draw.
  Subsequently, the current AsCA President, Professor Genji Kurisu, and his successor, Professor Geoffrey Brind Jameson, addressed the assembly, reflecting on the conference's significant outcomes and provided thoughtful commentary on the future trajectory of AsCA and its contributions to the crystallographic sciences. Promotional presentations for IUCr 2026 and AsCA 2027 highlighted upcoming opportunities for continued international involvement. The conference concluded with the Conference Co-Chairs formally declaring the successful completion of the AsCA 2025 main conference.

Post-Conference Activities

A half-day scientific tour of the TPS at NSRRC followed, with over 120 participants visiting advanced beamlines, experimental facilities, and accelerator instruments. Presentations highlighted developments in protein microcrystallography, bioSAXS, high-resolution powder diffraction, X-ray nanodiffraction, and tender X-ray absorption spectroscopy. After the TPS visit, attendees enjoyed an excursion to the Xiangshan Wetlands to observe indigenous crab species and take in a picturesque coastal sunset. The tour concluded at the Wave Market near Nanliao fishing harbor, where participants relished a seafood dinner featuring local specialties, creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to informal conversations and networking.
  After one post-conference workshop related to crystallographic and cryo-EM structure solution at TICC, Taipei on Dec. 6, the final post-conference workshop— “Exploring new frontiers in electron microscopy-driven structural studies”, was held on 8–9 December 2025 at the Okinawa Industry Support Center in Naha, Japan. Attended by 30 participants, the workshop focused on recent advances and future directions in electron microscopy-based structural research and marked the conclusion of all official AsCA 2025 activities.

Conclusion

With 733 participants from 28 countries, AsCA 2025 exemplified the vitality, interdisciplinarity and international collaboration that characterize contemporary crystallography and structural science. More than a scientific meeting, the conference served as a hub for exchanging ideas, advancing technologies and fostering collaborations. By supporting innovative research, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and nurturing early-career scientists, AsCA 2025 strengthened the foundation for future developments and reinforced the Asia–Oceania region’s important role in the global crystallographic and structural community.