On 27 February, the closing ceremony of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) competition for the most significant scientific achievements of 2025 took place. Twelve laureates representing various fields of science were honoured, while ten additional participants received Certificates of Recognition from the President of LAS. Among both the award recipients and those receiving recognition were BMC scientists – Kalvis Brangulis, Dagnija Tupiņa, Jānis Kloviņš and Monta Brīvība.

In the category “MOST SIGNIFICANT SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2025”, the following BMC study was honoured:

Structural vaccinology against Lyme disease: a new step towards the development of a safer and more durable vaccine
Authors: Ph.D. Kalvis Brangulis, Ph.D. Dagnija Tupiņa

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (Borrelia), is the most common tick-borne infection in the Northern Hemisphere. However, an effective vaccine is currently not available. The CspZ protein located on the surface of Borrelia helps the bacteria evade the human immune system. With the participation of scientists from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, a structural vaccinology approach was applied to design and analyse modified variants (mutants) of the Borrelia surface protein CspZ, aiming to develop effective vaccine antigens capable of activating the immune system against the causative agent of Lyme disease.

Using high-resolution crystal structure data of the CspZ protein, two mutants (I183Y and C187S) with significantly enhanced stability and the ability to induce a stronger protective immune response were developed. These variants provide protection against disease with fewer vaccination doses.

This research demonstrates that targeted stabilisation of protein structure can serve as a foundation for next-generation Lyme disease vaccines with longer-lasting and safer protection.

In the category “CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF LAS”, the following BMC-related study in the fields of bioinformatics and pharmacology was recognised:

Toxic effects of commonly occurring environmental pollutant mixtures investigated
Authors: Prof. Helgi B. Schiöth, Ph.D. Francisco Alejandro Lagunas-Rangel, MSci. Ludmila Jackeviča, Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība, Full Member of LAS Dr. pharm. Maija Dambrova, Full Member of LAS Dr. biol. Jānis Kloviņš
Research institutions: Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis; Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

We are proud of the achievements of our scientists!