The 7th Max Perutz Prize of the European Crystallographic Association has been awarded to Professor Randy J. Read, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom for his major contribution in the development and application of statistical methods for the calculation of crystallographic Fourier maps, and maximum likelihood methods and their impact on phasing, benefitting many laboratories in the world working with structures of macromolecules. In addition to the development of outstanding crystallographic methods, he has been studying medically relevant proteins, particularly those for which the structure may be useful in the development of new therapies.