Caribbean’s first advanced x-ray diffraction lab opens at UWI Mona

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, recently reached a major milestone with the launch of the crXstal Caribbean Regional X-ray Science Toward Advancement Laboratory and the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Bruker D8 Quest Eco Single Crystal Diffractometer (SC-XRD). This pioneering research facility is a significant achievement for the English-speaking Caribbean, marking a new chapter in regional scientific advancement.

Equipped with cutting-edge X-ray diffraction technology, the SC-XRD allows researchers to "see" atoms and determine three-dimensional structures at the atomic and molecular levels. This breakthrough will revolutionise scientific research across the region, providing insights that were previously inaccessible.

The launch of the crXstal Laboratory and the SC-XRD represents a major leap forward for Caribbean scientific research and development. It promises to drive innovation, foster regional and international collaboration, and contribute to economic growth by promoting scientific excellence.

Dr Tomlin Paul, Deputy Principal of UWI Mona, emphasised the transformative potential of the new laboratory, aligning it with the university’s core mission of advancing science, education, and research. He noted the early success of the crXstal lab in attracting attention across the region, underscoring its potential to establish UWI as a global hub for scientific research. “We are part of the vision to promote STEM education and showcase science at its best,” he said.

Dr Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, lead scientist and founder of crXstal.

The SC-XRD is a critical tool for advancing various STEM disciplines, including environmental monitoring, materials science, life sciences, drug discovery, and pharmaceuticals. X-ray diffraction has long been an essential driver of innovation, contributing to scientific developments, industrial applications, and educational advancements worldwide. Local industries such as mining, construction, food processing, and environmental management are poised to benefit from the research and insights made possible by this advanced facility.

Professor Michele Zema from Light Sources for Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific (LAAAMP), a major international partner, emphasised the significance of the donation, calling it a "seed" for the students, campus, and community to grow.

As a scientific hub, crXstal has the potential to increase student enrollment in STEM programs, generate revenue for the university and its contributing partners, and increase the number and impact of scientific publications and the translation of research into innovation by Caribbean researchers. It will also enhance inter-university and inter-island collaboration and promote cultural exchange through joint projects and training.

Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for the tangible outcomes for the sciences, hinting that the hub represents vision, investment and partnership solidified. ‘This is a hub for Caribbean science’, he added.”

Dr Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, lead scientist and founder of crXstal thanked all contributors, commenting that the realization of crXstal reflects “true partnership for the goals” as The UWI Mona brought together multiple donors in the international community – LAAAMP, UNESCO, Bristol Myers Squibb (a global pharmaceutical company), Bruker (manufacturer of the instrument), the Royal Society of Chemistry, the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr); The UWI Cave Hill Campus (regional partners); Juici Patties (local private sector partner); the Caribbean Academy of Sciences Jamaica as well as individuals, locally and internationally - to make crXstal a reality.