Structural molecular biology has been transformed with the development of synchrotron techniques. The major techniques, which are used by this community, are Protein Crystallography, XAFS, Small angle X-ray scattering and UV circular dichroism. Of these Protein crystallography remains the most rapidly expanding activity worldwide. In particular the synchrotron-based crystallography techniques such as "MAD" has transformed the field by solving the "Phase problem". Structure of whole ribosome can now be determined at atomic level. This type of information is crucially important for understanding how biological systems function. The knowledge of many genomes including those of human and several pathogens at the sequence levels has provided a new scientific challenge and opportunity namely the translating of genome sequence to large numbers of structures via a high throughput structure determination methods. Such a challenge can only be met by synchrotron methods where crystallographic data on a protein can be collected in a few hours. Knowledge of structures is of strategic importance for healthcare in terms of reducing the cost of drug discovery as well as increasing their effectiveness.

Atomic and molecular sciences is perhaps one of the most well established science areas in the synchrotron community. It is also strength of several SESAME member countries. This is not surprising as atomic and molecular physics were the first scientific area to benefit from synchrotron radiation as long as the 1960's. The topics range from photo-absorption to photo-ionisation processes where not only transition channels are measured and compared with basic physics but applications into as diverse a field as environmental and planetary science is made. For example, interaction of UV radiation (from the sun) with sulphur dioxide, an atmospheric pollutant can be studies at SESAME. The interaction of UV with sulphur dioxide leads to its photo-fragmentation, and its understanding is thus important from both an environmental and a planetary science point of view. This community primarily utilises light in the visible, UV and far UV (also known as VUV) region with the majority use being in the UV-VUV region.

Surface and Interface Science is a significant activity on most synchrotrons. Traditionally this area was primarily devoted to clean surfaces but more recently significant work is being carried out on 'real life' situations. Topics range from band structure determinations of clean surfaces and how they are modified by mono or sub-mono layer coverage of variety of molecules. These studies cover a vast area of interest ranging from fundamental solid-state physics to the development of metallic surfaces for catalytic converters for environment friendly vehicles. The requirements for this community span almost the whole of the SR spectrum. Traditionally, this area of science has concentrated in the UV, VUV and XUV (or far VUV) region using a variety of electron spectroscopic methods. More recently, X-ray diffraction and IR have gained a significant place among this community.

Environmental Science is one of the expanding areas of science where SR is having an increasing influence. The application areas include characterization of contamination in soils, riverbeds or lakes resulting from natural processes or human activities. Thus, leakage from nuclear storage to contamination from a mine (say nickel or copper mines) can have devastating effects in the local environment. Identification and characterization of these is an important aspect for control as well as remediation effort. XAFS and X-ray fluorescence are the primary techniques, which are used by this community for chemical speciation and identification. More recently X-ray powder diffraction is also being used.

Material Science has seen a major impact of synchrotron radiation techniques worldwide. Many of the scientists from SESAME countries have been engaged in this field at overseas facilities. The application of synchrotron methods have moved on 'from characterisation' of materials to using the techniques to investigate the structural details 'while conditions for making materials with certain features' are explored. Material science has seen a dramatic growth with the advent of advanced manufacturing methods and ability to probe structures of these materials while they are being made. Properties of materials can be controlled by a variety of factor including reaction rates, temperature etc. Small Angle and Wide Angle X-ray scattering (SAX/WAXS), XAFS, X-ray fluorescence and Powder Diffraction (both energy dispersive and monochromatic) are the main SR techniques in this area of science.

Archeological Science is one of the newest areas where SR is making a major impact. Techniques developed for material science have found their use recently in Archaeology with remarkable success mainly due to the high intensity and tunability of X-rays from a synchrotron. Several techniques can be applied at micron resolution. This new community has realized the major potential, which SR techniques can make in identification of archaeological artifacts and preservation of highly valuable cultural heritage items. Many of the SR techniques have been applied but the main impact has been made by XAFS, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction techniques. The cultural heritage associated with the SESAME countries would be certain beneficiaries of many of these techniques. These countries have strong activities in archaeological science and significant contribution can be expected in this area from SESAME.