The 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the importance of synchrotron radiation technology in biochemistry

The determination of the structure of prokaryote ribosome, which was awarded the 2009 Nobel price in Chemistry, is reviewed. In the 20-year long history of this effort, synchrotron radiation facilities played an essential role. Such large scale scientific facilities are now indispensable in frontier research. Through the example of ribosome, the regional features of the support provided by synchrotron radiation is described.