Multiscale materials are assembled from different types of nanomaterials, which themselves have unusual properties. By combining and integrating them into higher-order hierarchies, smart matter with unique functionalities and surprising applications in many different fields can be obtained. A consortium of eight partners from academia and research, led by the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, has received financial support from the Programme Johannes Amos Comenius of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the amount of CZK 480 million for research with this focus. Specifically, it was the Excellent Research Call aimed at supporting research with the potential for excellent results applicable in practice.
The development of advanced materials with the required parameters and their integration into functional structures while maintaining their maximum utility value is the common denominator of modern materials research. Current directions in materials science draw inspiration from nature, where beyond naturally occurring elements and compounds, nature enables so-called material genetics, i.e. the targeted folding and &quot;cross-breeding&quot; of material components in 3D space.
Scientists are combining zero-dimensional (quantum dots), one-dimensional (e.g. nanotubes), and two-dimensional (e.g. graphene) materials in the lab to give them new and unusual properties. The challenge is to develop advanced, so-called multiscale materials with a wide range of applications, e.g. in electrical engineering, medicine, or environmental technologies.
Eight partners cooperate in the AMULET (Advanced MUltiscaLe materials for key Enabling Technologies) project. The coordinator is the <a href="https://www.jh-inst.cas.cz/">J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry of the CAS</a>. Other members of the consortium involve the Institute of <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/62">Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS</a> (PI: <a href="https://cigler.group.uochb.cz/cs">Dr. Petr Cígler</a>), the Faculty of Science of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the CAS, the Institute of Physics of the CAS, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics and the Faculty of Science of Charles University, the Nuclear Physics Institute of the CAS and the <a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/companies/11">University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague</a>.
Linking the above institutions aims to promote the widest possible use of the anticipated newly developed unique materials. Experts will investigate how multiscale materials interact with the biological environment, whether they can be used for electrochemical or optical sensors, in electro-photochemical catalysis for the removal of pollutants from air and water, and last but not least, they will test new nano/micro-devices that can be used for energy conversion, production, and storage.
The AMULET project succeeded in the competition of 66 projects submitted to the Excellent Research call in the Programme Johannes Amos Comenius. This call is aimed at supporting research with the potential for excellent results applicable in practice. In total, 26 projects were supported for a total value of CZK 12.2 billion. The money is earmarked for excellent research teams, which will help Czech scientific institutions deepen their relations with foreign partners and strengthen the Czech Republic&#39;s competitiveness in the long run.

Material genetics will be pursued by the AMULET project, which succeeded in the Excellent Research Call

Synthesis and absolute configuration of cyclic synthetic cathinones derived from α-tetralone

On 14–15 April 2025, the Faculty of Pharmacy of Charles University in Hradec Králové hosted the First Annual International Conference of the project New Technologies for Translational Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences (NETPHARM), co-funded by the Jan Amos Komenský Operational Programme (OP JAK). The project aims to bridge cutting-edge pharmaceutical research with clinical practice and the application sphere, advancing the development of new therapeutic approaches, (nano)formulations, and advanced drug delivery systems.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/FF_UK_Uspesne_setkani_spickovych_vedcu_Prvni_vyrocni_mezinarodni_konference_projektu_NETPHARM_3_b6c493b2d0.jpg" alt="FF UK/Ing. Jan Škop/Mgr. Martina Kopecká Jurčeková: Successful Gathering of Leading Scientists: The First Annual International NETPHARM Conference" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_FF_UK_Uspesne_setkani_spickovych_vedcu_Prvni_vyrocni_mezinarodni_konference_projektu_NETPHARM_3_b6c493b2d0.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900">The conference was opened with an introductory speech by the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Charles University, Assoc. Prof. Jaroslav Roh, followed by an overview of the NETPHARM project, which was presented by the research project manager Prof. Petr Pávek.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/FF_UK_Successful_Gathering_of_Leading_Scientists_The_First_Annual_International_NETPHARM_Conference_298129dde1.jpg" alt="FF UK/Ing. Jan Škop/Mgr. Martina Kopecká Jurčeková: Successful Gathering of Leading Scientists: The First Annual International NETPHARM Conference (Assoc. Prof. Jaroslav Roh)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_FF_UK_Successful_Gathering_of_Leading_Scientists_The_First_Annual_International_NETPHARM_Conference_298129dde1.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900">On 16 April 2025, the second International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) meeting was held after the conference, which provided valuable recommendations for further development of the project based on the presentations delivered.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/FF_UK_Uspesne_setkani_spickovych_vedcu_Prvni_vyrocni_mezinarodni_konference_projektu_NETPHARM_5_65b5668094.jpg" alt="FF UK/Ing. Jan Škop/Mgr. Martina Kopecká Jurčeková: Successful Gathering of Leading Scientists: The First Annual International NETPHARM Conference" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_FF_UK_Uspesne_setkani_spickovych_vedcu_Prvni_vyrocni_mezinarodni_konference_projektu_NETPHARM_5_65b5668094.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="900">In his closing remarks, Professor Petr Pávek expressed his gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and extended his appreciation for the insightful guidance provided by the ISAB.Both the conference and the ISAB meeting received overwhelmingly positive evaluations in terms of scientific content as well as organizational and technical aspects. Participants appreciated the high level of presentations, the welcoming and friendly atmosphere, and the professional background of the entire event.The First Annual Conference of the NETPHARM project clearly demonstrated the tremendous potential of international collaboration in advancing scientific excellence and education. The NETPHARM project is already delivering significant scientific results, fostering personal connections, and strengthening international partnerships.The organizing team and all involved extend their sincere thanks to the project partners, ISAB members, and young promising researchers for their commitment, enthusiasm, and outstanding contributions.We wish everyone continued success in achieving the next project milestones and look forward to future NETPHARM events!<blockquote>For more information about the project, please visit:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.faf.cuni.cz/NETPHARM/?lang=cs-cz">NETPHARM | Farmaceutická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://portal.faf.cuni.cz/Projects/NETPHARM-project/">NETPHARM project | Vědecký portál - Farmaceutická fakulta UK</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.faf.cuni.cz/NETPHARM-Conference/Programme/">Programme | Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy</a></blockquote>

Successful Gathering of Leading Scientists: The First Annual International NETPHARM Conference

We are excited to announce that registration for the 12th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2026), along with the call for abstracts and travel grants for young scientists, is now officially open!<h3>Key dates</h3><ul><li>May 31, 2026: Application for Young scientist travel grant</li><li>June 30, 2026<ul><li>Application for participation as a Sponsor or Exhibitor or Media partner</li><li>Abstract submission for oral presentation</li><li>Reduced registration fee</li></ul></li><li>August 31, 2026: Abstract submission for poster presentation</li><li>September 30, 2026: Last minute posters submission</li><li>November 3 - 6, 20026: 12th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2026) in Prague, Czech Republic</li></ul><h3>Registration</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/">Registration for RAFA 2026 is OPEN!</a>Early-bird registration until 30 June, 2026</blockquote>After successful submission of your registration, you will receive by e-mail (i) an automatic confirmation of receipt indicating the total amount of payment due (either for bank transfer or for on-line payment by card), (ii) login to Member section where you can administrate your profile, submit your abstracts, and from September 2026 register for satellite events, workshops and seminars. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your registration please contact us at RAFA2026@vscht.cz.As soon as payment of registration fee is processed, you will also receive by e-mail (iii) confirmation of payment.<h4>Important notice:</h4>Registration fee of those who have submitted an abstract for oral or poster presentation has to be received until September 30, 2026, otherwise these contribution(s) will not be included into the Book of Abstracts and the Conference programme.<h4>Registration Fees</h4><ul><li>Smart rate (Until 30 June, 2026): € 655</li><li>Regular registration (Until 30 September, 2026): € 855</li><li>Late registration (From 1 October, 2026): € 955</li><li>Student rate*&nbsp;<ul><li>Until 30 June, 2026: € 465</li><li>From 1 July, 2026: € 605</li></ul></li></ul>* The proof of student status (e.g. copy of a student identify card) is requested as an attachment of the registration form.<h5>The regular registration fee will include:</h5><ul><li>Attendance at all scientific sessions, workshops, seminars, vendor seminars and other satellite events</li><li>Access to the poster and exhibition area</li><li>Conference kit (name badge, conference bag, conference documents, certificate of participation, certificate of presentation on request)</li><li>Final programme</li><li>E-Book of Abstracts</li><li>Coffee breaks</li><li>Buffet luncheons</li><li>Welcome drink</li></ul>In the registration form you can register free of charge for the welcome drink and you can also order ticket(s) for the conference dinner (€ 85).Please note that your registration is firm when your payment has been received.<h3>Abstract submission</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/">CALL for ABSTRACTS is OPEN!</a>In order to submit an abstract, you must first register to attend RAFA 2026. After registration you will receive an access to the Member section where you can submit your abstract(s).</blockquote>&nbsp;After successful submission of your abstract you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt of submitted abstract via e-mail. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your abstract please check at first your spam box-mail and then contact us at RAFA2026@vscht.cz.Please ensure that your abstract does not contain spelling, grammatical or scientific errors. Even though modifications of your submitted abstract will be allowed in the Abstract section of the Member section until the deadline for the abstract submission, please be confident on the lack of errors in your final version prior to starting the submission process.The abstract will be reproduced exactly as submitted. No proofreading will be done, although some corrections may be requested by the reviewers.If you need to withdraw your abstract, a written statement reflecting the reasons for this decision must be sent to RAFA2026@vscht.cz no later than September 30, 2026.<h4>Important notice:</h4><blockquote>1 registered participant can submit no more than 2 abstracts.</blockquote>To apply for a young scientist’s oral presentation, as an indication please respect the rule that you should be born in 1991 or later.The text of the abstract should be limited to 3000 characters including spaces. Tables and pictures are not allowed.Abstracts of oral presentations and posters will be included into the "e-Book of Abstracts" only after receipt of the conference registration fee. Any payment of the registration fee has to be received until September 30, 2026, otherwise contribution(s) will not be included into the e-Book of Abstracts and the Conference programme.<h3>Special opportunities for young scientists:</h3><ul><li>Dedicated slots for oral presentations within the main scientific programme</li><li>Competitive travel grants for young scientists</li><li>Award(s) for the best poster presentation(s)</li></ul>Whether you are a PhD student or an early-career researcher, RAFA 2026 offers a unique opportunity to present your work, gain international exposure and connect with leading experts in the field.Be part of this inspiring scientific event and join us in Prague!

RAFA 2026 - Registration & Call for Abstracts are now OPEN

<div><div>Researchers led by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kudova.group.uochb.cz/en">Eva Kudová</a> from IOCB Prague and Jitka Viktorová from UCT Prague have identified new androstane-based steroid derivatives that can significantly improve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</div></div><div>The team screened dozens of natural steroidal hormones and synthetic derivatives to see whether they could block bacterial efflux pumps – mechanisms that bacteria use to eject antibiotics and survive treatment. Two compounds emerged as particularly promising: they inhibited efflux pumps and lowered the effective doses of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and erythromycin.Further analysis showed that one of the compounds also suppressed genes linked to bacterial virulence. Another key finding is that the most active molecules are non-toxic to human immune cells and showed no detectable endocrine activity, suggesting a favorable safety profile.These findings support the idea that rationally designed steroid-based molecules could act as antibiotic adjuvants, helping existing drugs overcome bacterial resistance.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/IOCB_Prague_Steroidal_hormones_and_neurosteroids_novel_therapeutic_strategies_in_bacterial_infections_8e5d2a7b48.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: Steroidal hormones and neurosteroids – novel therapeutic strategies in bacterial infections" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_IOCB_Prague_Steroidal_hormones_and_neurosteroids_novel_therapeutic_strategies_in_bacterial_infections_8e5d2a7b48.jpg 222w," sizes="100vw" width="1258" height="886"><blockquote><h4>Original Article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0223523426001613?via%3Dihub">Steroidal hormones and neurosteroids - novel therapeutic strategies in bacterial infections: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation</a></h4>Daniela Brdová, Bára Křížkovská, Jan Špaček, Zdeněk Míchal, Eva Jablonská, Ondřej Strnad, Hana Chodounská, Eszter Szánti-Pintér, Marina Morozovová, Václav Hanžl, Jan Tkadlec, Martijn Riool, Jan Lipov, Jitka Viktorová, Eva Kudová&nbsp;Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2026, 308, 118716<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118716">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118716</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>The global rise of antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. Inhibition of bacterial efflux pumps, which contribute to multidrug resistance, represents a promising approach to restore or even increase the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Using fluorescence-based ethidium bromide accumulation, broth microdilution, and checkerboard assays, we evaluated 26 endogenous steroidal hormones and neurosteroids, along with 30 synthetic derivatives, for their ability to enhance antibiotic susceptibility in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Structure-activity relationship analysis identified compounds 13 and 16 as lead candidates, exhibiting strong efflux pump inhibition and marked reductions in the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Both compounds showed additive effects in checkerboard assays. Modifications at C-3 (polar substitution) and C-17 (3α,5β-stereochemistry and nonpolar substitution) were essential for potent efflux inhibition and sensitization, although these modifications were not additive when combined. Transcriptome analysis further revealed that compound 13 significantly downregulated S. aureus virulence-associated genes when administered alone or in combination with antibiotics. Cytotoxicity assessment in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and receptor transactivation assays for estrogen, androgen, and progesterone receptors indicated that the most active derivatives were non-toxic and lacked detectable endocrine activity, suggesting a favorable safety profile. Overall, these findings support the concept that rationally designed andostane-based steroidal scaffolds can function as competitive bacterial efflux pump inhibitors and serve as potential antibiotic adjuvants to mitigate efflux-mediated resistance.<h4>Instrumentation</h4><h5>Structural characterization</h5><ul><li>AVANCE III 400 MHz NMR spectrometer (Bruker)</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=3&amp;search=LTQ+Orbitrap+XL">LTQ Orbitrap XL HRMS</a> (Thermo Fisher Scientific, ESI)</li></ul></div>

Steroidal hormones and neurosteroids – novel therapeutic strategies in bacterial infections

<h3>Student and young researcher travel grants</h3>The RAFA 2026 Conference Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the offer for 5 travel grants to PhD students and early stage researchers (age limit 35 years) to attend the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/events/928">12th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2026)</a>.High scientific quality of the contribution submitted either for poster and / or oral/young scientists´ oral presentation will be considered for evaluation.For the successful applicants registration fee will be waived and travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed up to the amount of € 400 upon submission of a travel and accommodation expense claim after the conference.<h5>🎓 Young scientists at RAFA 2026 will benefit from:</h5><ul><li>Dedicated slots for oral presentations within the main scientific programme</li><li>Competitive travel grants for young scientists</li><li>Award(s) for the best poster presentations</li></ul>Whether you are a PhD student or an early-career researcher, RAFA 2026 offers a unique opportunity to present your work, gain international exposure and connect with leading experts in the field.<blockquote>Call for RAFA 2026 travel grants is OPEN!👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rafa2026.eu/draft/rafa2026_travel_grant_form.html">Submit your application here</a><ul><li>Deadline for submission of an application is May 31, 2026.</li><li>Notification of applications´ evaluation will be available on June 23, 2026.</li></ul></blockquote><h3>Registration</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/">Registration for RAFA 2026 is OPEN!</a>Early-bird registration until 30 June, 2026</blockquote>After successful submission of your registration, you will receive by e-mail (i) an automatic confirmation of receipt indicating the total amount of payment due (either for bank transfer or for on-line payment by card), (ii) login to Member section where you can administrate your profile, submit your abstracts, and from September 2026 register for satellite events, workshops and seminars. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your registration please contact us at RAFA2026@vscht.cz.<h3>Abstract submission</h3><blockquote>👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/">CALL for ABSTRACTS is OPEN!</a>In order to submit an abstract, you must first register to attend RAFA 2026. After registration you will receive an access to the Member section where you can submit your abstract(s).</blockquote>

Deadline for the RAFA 2026 Young Researcher Travel Grant is approaching

A Method for the Detection of Tire Wear Microplastics in Zebrafish Guts by Laterally Resolved LA-ICP-MS-Based Elemental Fingerprinting and Chemometrics

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The Faculty of Pharmacy, with its seat in the town of Hradec Králové, was established by a government decree in 1969. This Faculty of Pharmacy has continued in the old and long-time tradition of the education of pharmacy at Charles University.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University

RAFA provides an overview of contemporary trends in ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discusses CHALLENGES / NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

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18th Mass Spectrometry School in Biotechnology and Medicine

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High-Energy XRD - Diffraction Without Limits

Spectral Flow Cytometry Masterclass - Session 1