XANADU seminar series - Combining X-ray crystallography with the advanced capabilities of MAX IV and the macromolecular crystallography beamlines (BioMAX and MicroMAX) to tackle global sustainability challenges.

Combining X-ray crystallography with the advanced capabilities of MAX IV and the macromolecular crystallography beamlines (BioMAX and MicroMAX) to tackle global sustainability challenges.

With Isabel Bento, Researcher, MAX IV, Science division.

Abstract
In the face of pressing global sustainability challenges, structural biology has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing solutions in various fields, including healthcare, agriculture, green energy, and biotechnology (1). This talk will explore how cutting-edge macromolecular crystallography (MX) at MAX IV — particularly through its dedicated beamlines, BioMAX and MicroMAX (2-5) — enables high-resolution insights into the molecular machinery of life, supporting efforts aligned with sustainable research and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  By combining X-ray crystallography with the unique brilliance and stability of MAX IV's synchrotron source, researchers can study proteins and enzymes that play crucial roles in drug development, carbon capture, plastic degradation, and biofuel production. Case studies will illustrate how structure-based approaches contribute to understanding disease mechanisms, optimising biocatalysts, and developing climate-resilient crops.

References:

1. Carugo O, Djinović-Carugo K. "Structural biology: A golden era". PLoS Biol. 2023 Jun 29;21(6):e3002187. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002187
2. Ursby T, Åhnberg K, Appio R, Aurelius O, Barczyk A, Bartalesi A, Bjelčić M, Bolmsten F, Cerenius Y, Doak RB, Eguiraun M, Eriksson T, Friel RJ, Gorgisyan I, Gross A, Haghighat V, Hennies F, Jagudin E, Norsk Jensen B, Jeppsson T, Kloos M, Lidon-Simon J, de Lima GMA, Lizatovic R, Lundin M, Milan-Otero A, Milas M, Nan J, Nardella A, Rosborg A, Shilova A, Shoeman RL, Siewert F, Sondhauss P, Talibov VO, Tarawneh H, Thånell J, Thunnissen M, Unge J, Ward C, Gonzalez A, Mueller U. “BioMAX – the First Macromolecular Crystallography Beamline at MAX IV Laboratory.” J. Synchrotron Radiat. 2020, 27(5), 1415–1429. DOI: 10.1107/s1600577520008723
3. Kanchugal P., S., Jagudin, E., Lima, G.M.A., Talibov, V.O., Begum, A., Nan, J., Eguiraun, M., Gonzalez, A., Sele, C., Nyblom, M., Knecht, W., Logan, D.T., Sjögren, T., Thunnissen, M., Ursby, T., Obiols-Rabasa, M., Larsson, M., Mueller, U. and Krojer, T. (2025), "FragMAX Facility for Crystallographic Fragment and Ligand Screening at MAX IV". Applied Research, 4: e202400263. https://doi.org/10.1002/appl.202400263
4. Shilova A, Lebrette H, Aurelius O, Nan J, Welin M, Kovacic R, Ghosh S, Safari C, Friel RJ, Milas M, Matej Z, Högbom M, Brändén G, Kloos M, Shoeman RL, Doak B, Ursby T, Håkansson M, Logan DT, Mueller U. "Current status and future opportunities for serial crystallography at MAX IV Laboratory". J Synchrotron Radiat. 2020 Sep 1;27(Pt 5):1095-1102. doi: 10.1107/S1600577520008735. Epub 2020 Aug 21. PMID: 32876583; PMCID: PMC7467353.
5. Gonzalez, A., Krojer, T., Nan, J., Bjelcic, M., Aggarwal, S., Gorgisyan, I., Milas, M., Eguiraun, M., Casadei, C., Chenchiliyan, M., Jurgilaitis, A., Kroon, D., Ahn, B., Ekstrom, J. C., Aurelius, O., Lang, D., Ursby, T. & Thunnissen, M. M. G. M. (2025). J. Synchrotron Rad. 32, 779-791.