On 13 July 2026, the Clean&Circle Centre of Competence, in cooperation with the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IOCCP–BAS), organised a scientific seminar featuring Prof. Dr Christian Betzel from the University of Hamburg, Germany. The event brought together scientists, doctoral students, and early-career researchers, who had the opportunity to learn about contemporary applications of serial crystallography and its importance for the development of new molecules.

Organising initiatives of this kind is part of the activities of the Clean&Circle Centre of Competence, which promotes international scientific cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the development of modern research infrastructure. In partnership with leading scientific organisations and universities, the Centre creates opportunities for Bulgarian and international researchers to exchange experience and supports the development of scientific capacity in fields such as chemistry, life sciences, and biotechnology.

The guest lecturer delivered a presentation entitled “Latest Developments in Serial Crystallography – Application in Structure-Based Drug Discovery”, introducing the audience to current trends in serial crystallography and the potential of this method for studying biological macromolecules. The presentation explored modern approaches to obtaining and analysing structural data, as well as their importance for research in structural biochemistry.

Prof. Christian Betzel is a professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg. His research interests include structural biology, structural infection biology, crystallogenesis, the structure and dynamics of nucleic acids, plant lectins, and venomics. His scientific work focuses on the development and application of methods for the structural analysis of biological molecules, as well as participation in international research initiatives.

The Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg brings together research groups working in areas such as RNA biology, structural biology, structural infection biology, virology, biomolecular modelling, and other fields of molecular biology.

During the lecture, Prof. Betzel presented the application of serial crystallography in structure-based drug discovery—an approach in which the three-dimensional structure of biological molecules serves as the basis for the development of new pharmaceutical compounds. The presentation examined the method’s potential for obtaining structural information about biological macromolecules and its application in biomedical research.

The topics presented during the lecture correspond to the scientific fields in which Prof. Betzel works. These include structural biology, crystallogenesis, structural infection biology, and research into the structure and dynamics of nucleic acids.

For early-career researchers and doctoral students, the seminar provided a valuable opportunity to meet an internationally recognised scientist, learn about current scientific approaches, and participate in a discussion on contemporary applications of crystallographic methods. Such initiatives contribute to the establishment of professional contacts, the exchange of knowledge, and the development of international cooperation between scientific institutions.

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