Synchrotron structural biology at SSRL, the beginning and beyond

Synchrotron X-ray structural biology has developed into a worldwide, highly productive enterprise whose capabilities are providing thousands of users annually with the means to make innovative and outstanding scientific discoveries based on biological structure and function, impacting areas of human health, bioenergy and sustainability and many others. This special virtual issue of Journal of Synchrotron Radiation (https://journals.iucr.org/special_issues/2025/ssrlprotein) includes a series of contributed papers from scientists at structural biology synchrotron centers worldwide that describe capabilities, scientific discoveries and future directions. In my article, I will start with a focus on the first macromolecular crystallography studies at SSRL that were published in 1976, followed by developments in anomalous scattering and multi-wavelength phasing. I will then highlight some technology and methodology developments including X-ray detectors and beamline automation, which were key in building robust, sustainable resources at SSRL and other synchrotron radiation facilities for the structural biology user community. I will highlight other related elements including accelerator R&D, consider some of the overarching factors which I believe have been important for the sustained success and growth of this enterprise for 50 years and counting, and highlight some of the indicators of the enormous success of this venture. Throughout I will comment upon some of the new developments and trends that are emerging.