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Working Group of Prof. Dr. Dr. Sc. Betzel

Our group participates in current coronavirus research.

Coronavirus Picture: Pete Linforth/Pixabay

Team will X-ray coronavirus proteins
Can the new coronavirus be stopped with drugs? So far, there is no cure for the infection. Research groups around the world are intensively searching for starting points for an active substance against SARS-CoV-2, as the virus was named by the World Health Organization (WHO). A series of experiments now beginning at DESY looks at three key proteins of the pathogen as possible drug targets. If the investigation is successful, it could considerably shorten the search for a drug. [more]
Press releases Deutschen Elektronen-Synchrotron, 24 March 2020

The main research topic of our group is the structure-function analysis of selected proteins and nucleic acids with relevance in infection and inflammation. In addition to biochemical and molecular biological techniques we apply complementary biophysical methods, particular X-rays crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering and laser light scattering.

Our research group operates in cooperation with the Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck (Prof. Dr. R. Hilgenfeld), the "Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation" on the DESY campus. The laboratory offers most ideal conditions, equipment and facilities, for innovative research in the field of structural biology using synchrotron and free-electron laser radiation.

Laboratory for Structural Biology of Infection and Inflammation

Photo: UHH/Belda

Structure of the parasite's IMP dehydrogenase

Research team finds possible new approach for sleeping sickness drugs: X-ray laser reveals structure of a key enzyme of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei
Using ultra-bright X-ray flashes, a team of researchers has tracked down a potential target for new drugs against sleeping sickness: The scientists have decoded the detailed spatial structure of a vital enzyme of the pathogen, the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. [more]
Press releases Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, 30 January 2020

Dreidimensionale Struktur des Enzyms CTX-M-14-β-Laktamase mit dem daran gebundenen Inhibitor Avibactam am aktiven Zentrum (grün)

First experiments at Europe's new X-ray laser reveal unknown structure of antibiotics killer
An international collaboration led by DESY and consisting of over 120 researchers has announced the results of the first scientific experiments at Europe's new X-ray laser European XFEL. The pioneering work not only demonstrates that the new research facility can speed up experiments by more than an order of magnitude, it also reveals a previously unknown structure of an enzyme responsible for antibiotics resistance. [more]
Press releases Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, 2 October 2018

Rod shaped in vivo crystals grown inside of insect cells

In vivo cystallization: Finding the right key
Christian Betzel calls the small, grey house in the middle of the spacious DESY campus in Hamburg his outstation. To get there, you have to find your way through construction sites, huge building complexes and the parking lots of the research centre until you come upon the two-storey building on a little hill. In this house, Betzel and his postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and interns work on the new revolution of structural biology: in vivo crystallization. [more]
Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster Newsletter, Juli 2017

Analysis in outer space
On 8 February, a transport rocket will head off to the ISS space station. On board: samples from a research group under the aegis of Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Betzel from Universität Hamburg. The group will analyze what happens to the samples at zero gravity. [more]
Press releases Universität Hamburg, 7 February 2017