The evaluation of applications submitted to the Latvian Academy of Sciences competition for the most significant scientific achievements in Latvia in 2025 has been completed. In total, 55 applications were assessed: 25 in natural sciences, engineering and technology, and medical and health sciences; 26 in the humanities and social sciences; and 4 in agricultural sciences. The Academy has selected twelve works representing these fields as the winners of the competition.

Among the most significant achievements in Latvian science in 2025 is the work by PhD Kalvis Brangulis and PhD Dagnija Tupiņa from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, entitled “Structural Vaccinology against Lyme Disease: A New Step towards the Development of a Safer and More Durable Vaccine.”

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (borreliae), is the most common tick-borne infection in the Northern Hemisphere. However, an effective vaccine against this disease is currently not available. On the surface of borreliae is the protein CspZ, which enables these bacteria to evade attacks by the human immune system. With the involvement of scientists from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, and using a structural vaccinology approach, modified variants (mutants) of the borrelial surface protein CspZ were designed and analysed to make these proteins effective antigens for vaccination, thereby activating the immune system to combat the causative agent of Lyme disease.

Using high-resolution crystal structure data of the CspZ protein, two CspZ mutants (I183Y and C187S) were created, demonstrating significantly increased stability and the ability to elicit a stronger protective immune response. This provides protection against the disease with fewer vaccination doses.

This study demonstrates that the targeted stabilisation of protein structures can serve as a foundation for the development of next-generation Lyme disease vaccines with longer-lasting and safer effects.

We are also proud of our colleagues at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, whose achievements have likewise been recognised. Among the laureates are scientists from the Institute who have discovered a new candidate compound with strong potential to become an effective and safe medicine for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, as well as developed a new methodology for obtaining halogen-containing molecules (chlorine, fluorine, etc.), enabling the safe and efficient production of pharmaceuticals and other chemical products.