<div>In 2025, two outstanding young female researchers, Drs. Filipa Oliveira and Stella Gonsales, both originally from outside the Czech Republic, received prestigious JUNIOR STAR grants from the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR). JUNIOR STAR enables early career researchers to establish their own independent research groups and significantly advance their scientific careers. Their projects reflect cutting-edge research in materials science and sustainable chemistry, highlighting the international reach and welcoming research environment at UCT Prague.Dr. Stella Gonsales is also a&nbsp;laureate of the Dagmar Procházková Fund, which supports promising scientific projects in sustainable and advanced organic chemistry. Another recipient of this grant is Dr.&nbsp;Anna Valunchene, whose research complements UCT Prague’s&nbsp;sustainability goals. This dual funding underlines Stella’s&nbsp;remarkable achievements and the wide scope of innovative research at UCT Prague.Both Filipa and Stella are actively looking for motivated students and researchers to join their teams, offering a&nbsp;unique opportunity to work at the forefront of science in a&nbsp;vibrant and supportive environment.</div><div><h3>Interview with Filipa Oliveira: Pioneering tubular MXenes for supercapacitor energy storage</h3><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Filipa Oliveira" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="999"><h5>Congratulations on receiving the JUNIOR STAR grant. What does this achievement mean for you and how will it influence your next steps?</h5>Thank you. It’s&nbsp;a huge achievement to receive this prestigious grant. It gives me the opportunity to establish my own research group here at UCT Prague. The JUNIOR STAR program supports talented young scientists in building their teams and accessing resources. This means I&nbsp;now have the support to focus fully on my research about tubular MXenes and their application in supercapacitors.<h5>Why are tubular MXenes so innovative for energy storage?</h5>MXenes are a family of 2D materials with a layered, accordion-like structure and known for their excellent electrical conductivity. Our innovation is to produce them with a tubular morphology, combining the high conductivity and redox activity in superior ion-transport tubular architectures. Their open, hollow structure increases surface area, ion diffusion and charge transport. This could translate to faster, more efficient supercapacitors, critical for sustainable energy technologies.<h5>How did your scientific interest lead you to this field?</h5>Global challenges around green energy made me focus on materials that can improve energy storage. MXenes stood out because changes in the composition and structure can significantly change their properties. I&nbsp;was curious about how tuning different metallic elements in a&nbsp;tubular morphology can impact how MXenes perform and how to optimize them for practical applications.<h5>What challenges have you encountered?</h5>One major challenge is their stability: MXenes oxidize quickly which deteriorates performance. Another challenge is understanding how synthesis conditions of both MXenes and their precursors (MAX phases) must be adapted to create and preserve tubular morphologies since their synthesis mechanisms differ from conventional MXenes. Additionally, effectively communicating the project in the funding proposal to show to reviewers why I&nbsp;should obtain this funding was also a&nbsp;challenge, but thanks to mentorship and collaboration, I&nbsp;overcame these hurdles.<h5>What motivates you most about working at UCT Prague?</h5>The support from colleagues and the excellent technical infrastructure make it a&nbsp;great place to work. Also, being a&nbsp;former member of Professor Sofer’s&nbsp;leading group in 2D&nbsp;materials is inspiring and led me to this achievement.<h5>How do&nbsp;you see your professional development going in the future?</h5>The grant will help me build my own team, acquire equipment, and develop collaborations. My long-term vision is to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions and scientific progress both locally and internationally.<h5>You are looking for new team members. What kind of students or scientists do&nbsp;you need?</h5>We are currently welcoming enthusiastic master's&nbsp;students, PhD candidates, and postdocs who are passionate about materials science and eager to explore new frontiers in MXenes and energy storage. If you love curiosity-driven research and want to be part of a&nbsp;growing international team, we encourage you to join us.<h3>Interview with Stella Gonsales: Catalysis as a&nbsp;key to polymer recycling</h3><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Stella Gonsales" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="1499" height="1000"><h5>Congratulations on your JUNIOR STAR grant and also being awarded the Dagmar Procházková Fund. What does receiving both mean to you and how will they shape your work?</h5>Thank you. Both grants are hugely important. The JUNIOR STAR grant allows me to expand my group and resources for research into catalytic recycling of polymers, while the Dagmar Procházková Fund supports complementary projects such as synthesizing new biodegradable polymers. Together, they help tackle the plastic waste problem from multiple scientific angles.<h5>Could you explain your research in layperson’s&nbsp;terms?</h5>Most plastics have strong carbon-carbon bonds. We insert more cleavable double bonds into polymers that can be broken down by catalytic reactions called olefin metathesis, making recycling on a&nbsp;molecular level more feasible.<h5>What makes the JUNIOR STAR grant particularly important for your research and career development?</h5>The JUNIOR STAR grant is a&nbsp;prestigious and highly competitive funding opportunity aimed at excellent early-career scientists within eight years of completing a&nbsp;Ph.D. It provides up to 25&nbsp;million CZK over five years, allowing recipients to establish independent research groups and pursue innovative scientific topics. This grant is crucial for building a&nbsp;solid foundation, acquiring necessary equipment, and recruiting talented team members, enabling the pursuit of ambitious projects that can significantly contribute to both the Czech scientific community and global challenges.<h5>What collaborations support your research?</h5>The collaboration between UCT Prague and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences primarily provides financial and technical support. The cooperation helps with funding, access to advanced equipment, and operational resources needed for running research projects.<h5>What advice would you give young scientists aiming to succeed?</h5>I&nbsp;encourage thinking outside the box and combining diverse knowledge you acquire during your career to address complex problems that are exciting and relevant to you.<h5>Your laboratory bears the name of Otto Wichterle and was ceremonially opened in the presence of Professor Kamil Wichterle. How does Wichterle’s&nbsp;legacy inspire you personally?</h5>Wichterle’<s>’</s>s&nbsp;innovative spirit motivates me to push creative boundaries and pursue novel solutions in sustainable chemistry.<h5>What are your visions for the future?</h5>I&nbsp;aim to build a&nbsp;research group that advances sustainable polymer recycling, contributing to environmental responsibility and the circular economy.<h5>You are recruiting people for your team. What skills do&nbsp;they need to have?</h5>We are looking for talented Ph.D. students and postdocs experienced in air-sensitive catalysis techniques. If you want to contribute to transformative research in sustainable chemistry and join a&nbsp;dynamic team, this is a&nbsp;great opportunity.</div>

JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science

The clean laboratories of the CEITEC Nano research infrastructure at CEITEC Brno University of Technology house a four-meter-tall TITAN transmission electron microscope for researching materials at the atomic level. This scientific device underwent two significant upgrades this year, entailing the addition of two state-of-the-art technologies: an electromagnetic lens aberration corrector for scanning transmission electron microscopy and an electron energy loss spectrometer equipped with cameras featuring today's most sensitive sensors. Thanks to these upgrades, TITAN has become a state-of-the-art device that can only be found in a few of the world's most advanced laboratories in this configuration.The TITAN Themis microscope was manufactured in 2015 by FEI (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) and has been in use at CEITEC BUT since 2016. At the time of its acquisition, it was one of the most powerful commercially available electron microscopes; however, it lacked a corrector for optical defects in the lenses that form the narrow electron beam scanning the sample. This meant limited resolution and a lower ability to analyze the chemical composition and physical properties of materials at the atomic level."The latest generation S-CORR aberration corrector allows the electron beam to be focused to a size up to twice smaller than an atom, while also providing a higher electron current. This has led to a significant increase in the resolution and analytical capabilities of the microscope," explains Jan Michalička, guarantor of the TITAN microscope. "Thanks to the new corrector, our microscope achieves the world's highest standard in resolution, specifically less than 50 picometers at an acceleration voltage of 300 keV." For better understanding, he adds a comparison: "Imagine the ratio of the size of a golf ball to that of planet Earth. That is exactly the ratio of an atom measuring 100 pm to a golf ball." Thanks to this resolution, scientists are not only able to image individual atoms, but also to determine their chemical nature through further analysis. This is of fundamental importance, for example, for the development of new catalysts for a more environmentally friendly chemical industry.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8ebd8d7245.jpg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Differences in resolution before and after the installation of the aberration corrector." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8ebd8d7245.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="904">The new corrector also allows the microscope to achieve high resolution even with low-energy electrons. This is crucial for studying highly sensitive materials such as graphene and other two-dimensional structures, which would be damaged by a stronger electron beam. "Electrons interact strongly with the sample and can damage it at the atomic level, for example, by changing its structure and chemical composition. With the new corrector, we can achieve atomic resolution even at the lowest acceleration voltage of 60 keV, allowing us to study even very sensitive materials in a virtually unchanged state," says Jan Michalička.<h4>The additional installation of a corrector at the CEITEC laboratory is unique worldwide</h4>Correctors of optical defects in electromagnetic lenses are an exceptional technology that has completely changed the world of electron microscopy. For a long time, they were considered technically impossible, and the absence of correctors essentially prevented research into the structure and properties of materials at the atomic level. It was not until the 1990s that a group of four scientists – Harald Rose, Max Haider, Knut Urban, and Ondřej Křivánek – succeeded in implementing this technology, for which they received the prestigious Kavli Prize in 2020. “Correctors basically consist of a pair of complex lenses, each containing a series of magnetic multipoles. In the case of the correctors invented by the first three scientists mentioned above, defects are removed by two hexapole lenses. Our new corrector is based on the same concept,” adds Jan Michalička.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_2_c7e74d8554.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Delivered aberration corrector prior to installation, with the TITAN microscope in the background." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_2_c7e74d8554.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">The additional installation of a corrector is unique in itself nowadays. Similarly complex technologies are usually installed during the manufacture of microscopes in the factory, in this case in the Netherlands. However, in Brno, the microscope was successfully upgraded with a corrector under the limited conditions of the laboratory. The installation of the corrector took about four months and required the dismantling of a large part of the microscope. "With this installation, we basically went back to the time when the four scientists mentioned above placed their prototype corrector on an older microscope, thus improving its performance," says Jan Michalička with a smile, adding that the most difficult part was the precise adjustment of the corrector and the entire optics of the microscope in order to achieve top parameters. "Even though most things are now controlled by computers, there are only a few people in the world who can install and tune a corrector to the highest level of accuracy. We are therefore extremely pleased to have had such experts at our disposal here."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_4_b2cf95fb5c.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installation of the aberration corrector – removal of the condenser." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_4_b2cf95fb5c.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133"><h4>New spectrometer will enable scientists to see more</h4>The second and equally important upgrade to the TITAN microscope is the installation of the latest generation GIF Continuum HR electron energy loss spectrometer by Gatan. This is an approximately two-meter-long device installed horizontally under the microscope, whose main component is a magnetic prism that separates the electron beam according to their energy losses. The spectra of these losses provide enormous information about the sample, principally at the atomic level, as they are characteristic of the given state of the atoms, such as the valence arrangement of their electron shell. In combination with the new corrector, the spectra can be used to analyze the chemical bonds, arrangement in the crystal lattice, or the entire range of physical properties of atomic nanostructures down to the level of individual atoms.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8_fdab871ef5.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installation of the spectrometer beneath the microscope, magnetic prism." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8_fdab871ef5.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">An essential part of the spectrometer are the state-of-the-art K3 and Stela cameras, which can directly detect and count individual electrons. At the same time, these cameras are extremely fast and their sensors capture data without noise. "These features of our cameras are key to measuring sensitive or dynamically changing samples and allow us to obtain information that was previously invisible to electron microscopes," says Jan Michalička.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_9_d8b87903f2.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installed high-performance spectrometer cameras." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_9_d8b87903f2.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">Last but not least, the spectrometer will open up completely new possibilities for measuring the magnetic properties of atomic structures. The new spectrometer will also be used for such experiments within the project TERAFIT, which financed this upgrade, and which focuses on research into materials for ultra-high capacity, speed, and energy efficiency in information technology. "The device is fully prepared for advanced experiments and the use of modern software tools, including artificial intelligence," adds Vojtěch Uhlíř, head of the Nanomagnetism and Spintronics research group at CEITEC BUT and one of the TERAFIT project investigators, highlighting the advantages of the spectrometer.Together with the corrector, the spectrometer represents a breakthrough in the analysis of material properties, and according to Jan Michalička, CEITEC now has one of the most powerful microscopes available. “In modern materials science, for example, in the development of magnetic memories, quantum materials, or 2D structures, it is necessary to see not only atoms, but also their behaviour in real time, including magnetic states. And it is this spectrometer that pushes the boundaries of what we can see and analyze.” Michal Urbánek, head of the CEITEC Nano laboratories and coordinator of the large research infrastructure <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.czechnanolab.cz/">CzechNanoLab</a>, agrees with him, adding that the device can now contribute to scientific knowledge on a global scale. “Thanks to its integration into the large CzechNanoLab research infrastructure, this state-of-the-art microscope is accessible not only to scientists from CEITEC, but also to other institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_10_7a2b57cc6d.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Final configuration of the TITAN microscope after installation of the aberration corrector and spectrometer." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_10_7a2b57cc6d.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133"><blockquote>Do you want to know more? Read the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/upgrade-of-titan-transmission-electron-microscope-ranks-ceitec-among-elite-laboratories-expert-version/t11696?secret=40ab0267-ec7e-11f0-8f5d-2ed9ab825d4b">expert version</a> of this article.</blockquote>

Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories

Scientists at IOCB Prague are uncovering new details of gene transcription. They have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which the transcription of genetic information from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into ribonucleic acid (RNA) can be initiated. The researchers focused on a specific class of molecules known as alarmones, which are found in cells across a wide range of organisms and whose levels often increase under conditions of cellular stress. The results were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Chemical Biology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Hana Cahová, head of the Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids research group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"><div>Molecules of ribonucleic acid can carry a variety of chemical modifications at one end, known as caps. In eukaryotic organisms, including human cells, the best-known cap plays an important role in RNA stability and in regulating its subsequent fate. In recent years, however, it has become clear that alternative, non-canonical RNA caps also exist, although their formation and the mechanisms by which they are attached to RNA remain only partially understood. These include alarmone caps, formed by dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules, that protect cellular RNA at moments when the cell is under threat.In their study, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en">Dr. Hana Cahová</a> and colleagues examined bacterial RNA polymerase and investigated how this enzyme can initiate transcription using dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpNs) instead of the standard RNA building blocks. For the first time, the scientists described, at the atomic level, how RNA bearing an alarmone cap can be generated directly at the initiation of gene transcription. They also observed that NpNs bind through a different type of base pairing than is typically observed.The work was significantly shaped by Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by Jana Škerlová, who focused on the structural analysis of RNA polymerase. Using cryogenic electron microscopy data, she showed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind within the active site of RNA polymerase – that is, the core of the enzyme where genetic information is transcribed. Together, their findings help to elucidate the processes that accompany the transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA.Hana Cahová adds: “We’re describing something that truly occurs in cells and that we’re now able to observe directly at the level of individual molecules. This allows us to answer fundamental questions about cellular processes, such as how cells adapt to stress. RNA plays a central role in this, as it carries the cascade of information underlying any cellular response – for example, to threatening conditions caused by nutrient deprivation or temperature shock.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Tomáš Kouba, head of the Cryogenic Electron Microscopy core facility." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"><div>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by Dr. Tomáš Kouba, one of the authors of the study. “Cryogenic electron microscopy allows us to freeze biological molecules in a state very close to their natural form and then determine their three-dimensional structure. This makes it possible to look directly into the active centers of enzymes and observe their function down to the atomic level,” he explains.Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en">cryo-EM center</a> that is unique within the Czech research environment. State-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopes are housed in a specially designed building and enable the study of biological processes with exceptional structural precision.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: This work shows how NpnNs initiate bacterial transcription. Cryo-EM reveals how nucleobases pair with the template: one in canonical and one in reverse Watson–Crick mode, providing a structural basis for their function as non-canonical RNA caps." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1077"><blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5">Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with NpnNs by bacterial RNA polymerase</a></h4>Valentina M. Serianni, Jana Škerlová, Anna Knopp Dubánková, Anton Škríba, Hana Šváchová, Tereza Vučková, Anatolij Filimoněnko, Milan Fábry, Pavlína Řezáčová, Tomáš Kouba &amp; Hana Cahova&nbsp;Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5</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>RNA capped with dinucleoside polyphosphates has been discovered in bacteria and eukaryotes only recently. The likely mechanism of this specific capping involves direct incorporation of dinucleoside polyphosphates by RNA polymerase as noncanonical initiating nucleotides. However, how these compounds bind into the active site of RNA polymerase during transcription initiation is unknown. Here, we explored transcription initiation in vitro, using a series of DNA templates in combination with dinucleoside polyphosphates and model RNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus. We observed that the transcription start site can vary on the basis of the compatibility of the specific template and dinucleoside polyphosphate. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of transcription initiation complexes with dinucleoside polyphosphates revealed that both nucleobase moieties can pair with the DNA template. The first encoded nucleotide pairs in a canonical Watson–Crick manner, whereas the second nucleobase pairs noncanonically in a reverse Watson–Crick manner. Our work provides a structural explanation of how dinucleoside polyphosphates initiate RNA transcription.</div></div>

Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription

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Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

UCT Prague

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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<h4>Ultralow limits of detection - even for the most challenging analytical applications - and surprisingly easy to use</h4>Harness the power of Triple Quadrupole (TQ) ICP-MS for uncomplicated analysis with incredible accuracy. Expand your applications and enhance your laboratory efficiency with this breakthrough technology, which is so easy to use that it can be operated by any analyst.<ul><li>Reaction Finder enables you to tackle challenging matrices without complex, time-consuming method development.</li><li>Common Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ ISDS Software platform allows analysts to switch easily between ICP techniques without the need for specialist training.</li><li>Minimal installation and bench space requirements ensure any laboratory will benefit from this technology.</li></ul>The Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS is the solution to future-proofing your laboratory: explore developing markets, push the boundaries of your research and meet the requirements of evolving legislation.<ul><li>‘Right first time’ analysis with powerful interference removal, even in the toughest matrices.</li><li>Reduced re-runs in the daily workload with assured accuracy and repeatability.</li><li>Maintains the flexibility of single quadrupole (SQ) mode for less challenging analyses.</li></ul><h3>Inside TQ Technology</h3><h4>Highly effective interference removal for accurate and reliable results</h4><ul><li>Utilizes up to four different collision and reaction gases and the unique Reaction Finder simplifies method development. There is no requirement for advance knowledge of complex reaction chemistry: Reaction Finder does it all for you!</li><li>Integrated reaction gas handling features ensure safe and reliable instrument operation.</li><li>If SQ analysis is required, simply use the preset Single Mode Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) mode for rapid and reliable results.</li><li>For ultimate flexibility, the iCAP TQ ICP-MS enables you to easily switch from SQ to TQ mode in a single sample analysis, providing the best results for your complete suite of elements.</li></ul>Let Reaction Finder select the right mode for your analysis:<ul><li>SQ mode: comparable to SQ-ICP-MS instruments, Q1 transmits all masses</li><li>TQ on mass mode: Q1 and Q3 set to the same mass</li><li>TQ mass shift mode: Q1 and Q3 set to different masses</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_3_cea2b3cb58.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_3_cea2b3cb58.jpg 176w," sizes="100vw" width="1739" height="1536"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_4_29db95b766.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_4_29db95b766.jpg 206w," sizes="100vw" width="1352" height="1024"><h3>Ultimate Ease of Use</h3><h4>Qtegra Intelligent Scientific Data Solution Software</h4>Intuitive software enables plasma ignition to data reporting in just five clicks, enhancing your productivity for rapid results.Reaction Finder Streamline your workflow with Reaction Finder.&nbsp; Use this intuitive feature to achieve optimal interference removal for your target analytes via intelligent measurement mode selection.<ul><li>Removes the complexity from TQ technology.</li><li>Automatically selects the isotope, reaction gas and product ion.</li><li>Dramatically decreases method development time.</li><li>Enables accessibility to all users.</li><li>Provides the confidence of accurate data.</li></ul>Enhance your productivity through automated sample handling, managed within the simple interface of Qtegra ISDS Software. Routinely tackle advanced applications with hyphenated techniques to expand your application capabilities.Autodilution Fully integrated control of autodilution peripherals in Qtegra ISDS Software, delivering error-free prescriptive and intelligent dilution options.Speciation The Qtegra ISDS Software ChromControl Plug-in provides control of chromatography systems for automated sample analysis in a single software. In addition, dedicated chromatographic data processing and compound quantification features deliver simple and reliable speciation analysis.Nanoparticles Enhance your laboratory with dedicated data analysis for nanoparticle size and concentration characterization using the advanced feature set provided in the Thermo Scientific npQuant Plug-in.Laser Ablation trQuant data evaluation simplifies quantification and data export when coupled with dedicated and highly flexible laser control plug-ins.<h3>Environmental and Human Health</h3><h4>Meet the most demanding challenges in protecting our future</h4>Clinical Accuracy Advance your clinical research with total confidence provided by superior interference removal. Use Reaction Finder to determine the appropriate measurement mode for your specific application to easily obtain accurate results. Perform robust and rapid analyses, even with small volume or complex samples, such as blood and urine.Pharmaceutical Compliance Comply with confidence: iCAP TQ ICP-MS technology meets global regulatory standards including FDA, U.S. Pharmacopeia &lt;232&gt; and &lt;233&gt;, and ICH Q3D. Full system qualification, powerful reporting and integral regulatory compliance tools in the Qtegra ISDS Software enable simplified method validation, total data security and audit assurance.Geoscience Optimize geochemical exploration and mining profitability with accurate mineral analysis. Discover more about your sample with easy coupling to a range of lasers for spatial analysis of precious minerals and zircons.Environmental Health The iCAP TQ ICP-MS is a powerful solution for routinely and accurately quantifying trace analytes in the most challenging environmental matrices. Optimize your productivity with a combination of SQ and superior TQ interference removal modes. In addition, seamless speciation is achievable in any laboratory for accurate risk assessment in environmental analysis.Food Safety Remove uncertainty from food safety analysis and be prepared for future legislation with speciation and nanoparticle characterization capabilities. Even the most challenging matrices are no obstacle for the iCAP TQ ICP-MS, ensuring reliable elemental analysis to support production of safe, high quality food and beverage products.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_2_ba6da840f1.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_TQ_ICP_MS_2_ba6da840f1.jpg 191w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="532">

Thermo Scientific iCAP MTX Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS

The Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ MTX Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) is a high-performance instrument which can be integrated into any elemental analysis laboratory.

The Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ MTX Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) is a high-performance instrument which can be integrated into any elemental analysis laboratory. From sample to result the iCAP MTX ICP-MS fulfils the most demanding application requirements with effortless efficiency.When your analysis demands the highest levels of detection power and accuracy, you need to rely on more advanced analytical methods. Adding sophistication to your analysis should not come at the cost of unwanted and unnecessary complexity.<h4>Consistent results and stability with unique matrix robustness</h4>In demanding analytical laboratories, it is essential to produce the highest quality data with minimal down time, even with highly variable and complex samples. The iCAP MTX ICP-MS provides unique matrix robustness without compromising sensitivity, for right first-time results.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_MTX_Triple_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_Minizine_cone_cleaning_even_when_analyzing_a_range_of_challenging_sample_types_More_than_4000_samples_of_varying_types_were_analyzed_over_a_span_of_16_weeks_cdbb8dbe10.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific: iCAP MTX Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS - Minizine cone cleaning even when analyzing a range of challenging sample types. More than 4000 samples of varying types were analyzed over a span of 16 weeks" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_MTX_Triple_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_Minizine_cone_cleaning_even_when_analyzing_a_range_of_challenging_sample_types_More_than_4000_samples_of_varying_types_were_analyzed_over_a_span_of_16_weeks_cdbb8dbe10.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="777" height="302"><h5>Intelligent Matrix Handling (IMH)</h5>IMH reduces exposure of the instrument to the sample matrix when analyte detection is not taking place<ul><li>Confidently analyze samples without QC failures</li><li>Longer analytical runs with minimal interruptions</li><li>Increased productivity and reduced maintenance</li></ul><h5>Seamless interface control</h5>Achieve the optimal balance of sensitivity to matrix tolerance with control of skimmer potential and forevacuum pump<ul><li>Improved detection capability in challenging matrix</li><li>Highest sensitivity for your sample type</li><li>Simple instrument operation via a fully software-controlled system</li></ul><h5>Easy Argon Gas Dilution (AGD)</h5>Easy AGD reduces analytical drift and matrix deposits with a proprietary dilution gas introduction method<ul><li>Right first-time analysis to eliminate re-runs</li><li>Prevents matrix deposits with high matrix samples</li><li>Consistent internal standard recovery throughout the analytical run</li></ul><h5>Integrated argon humidifier</h5>Enhance productivity and robustness with a fully integrated argon humidifier<ul><li>Increase productivity with software switching between dry and humidified plasma</li><li>Minimized analytical drift from prevention of salt build up on nebulizer and torch</li><li>Clear visual indicators for humidifier status</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_i_CAP_MSX_Single_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_2_edb6c3af99.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: iCAP™ MSX Single Quadrupole ICP-MS: Deliver right first time results in high matrix samples without drift or QC failures. Soil and wastewater analysis over 12 hrs with IMH and AGD-25, demonstrating minimal analytical drift in a high matrix." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_i_CAP_MSX_Single_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_2_edb6c3af99.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1544" height="691"><h4>Ultimate analytical detection capabilities with uncompromised performance</h4>The iCAP MTX ICP-MS is powerful enough to analyze any sample at the lowest level – so no application is out of reach. Discover more in your samples with high sensitivity and triple quadrupole detection power. Open up new research possibilities and introduce the potential for scientific breakthroughs<h5>Intellilens™ for optimal performance</h5>The Intellilens optimizes the optical lens settings per analyte to provide maximum sensitivity across the mass range<ul><li>Optimize sensitivity per analyte with intelligent tuning algorithms</li><li>Integrated within autotunes for simplicity and ease-of-use</li><li>Automated set-up without user instrument interactio</li></ul><h5>Reaction Finder Method Development Assistant</h5>Develop methods that provide right first-time analysis with advanced interference removal<ul><li>Reduce method development time with intuitive automated mode selection according to your target analytes</li><li>Simplify method development with built in intelligence, eliminating the requirement for advanced knowledge of complex reaction chemistry</li><li>Ultimate accuracy with SQ and TQ modes for interference removal</li></ul><h5>High sensitivity with interface design and control</h5>Advance control of the of the interface and forevacuum boost analytical performance<ul><li>Sensitivity or matrix tuning to provide the correct parameters for different samples</li><li>Potential applied to skimmer cone, adjusted to optimize performance</li><li>Raised interface vacuum further increases sensitivity</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_MTX_Triple_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_The_i_CAP_MTX_ICP_MS_is_powerful_enough_to_analyze_any_sample_at_the_lowest_level_a4e5a45826.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Scientific iCAP MTX Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS - The iCAP MTX ICP-MS is powerful enough to analyze any sample at the lowest level" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_Thermo_Scientific_i_CAP_MTX_Triple_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_The_i_CAP_MTX_ICP_MS_is_powerful_enough_to_analyze_any_sample_at_the_lowest_level_a4e5a45826.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1324" height="796"><h4>Optimised productivity with ultimate efficiency</h4>The iCAP MTX ICP-MS ensures the highest levels of analytical productivity combined with ease-of-use to significantly reduce your staff training time. The instrument requires minimal maintenance for operational efficiency. The Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ Intelligent Scientific Data Solution (ISDS) Software seamlessly controls your workflow from the initial instrument set-up, throughout daily operation to reporting results. Meet the demands of accurate analysis and traceable data with robust and reliable automated processes.<h5>Qtegra ISDS Software</h5>The intuitive Qtegra ISDS Software provides your laboratory with streamlined workflows, facilitating the fastest sample to results:<ul><li>Increase productivity with one software application, removing the need to navigate to different applications</li><li>Reduce training with a common software platform across all ICP technologies from Thermo Fisher Scientific</li><li>Get Ready workflows can pre-program the instrument for operation, and increasing productivity</li></ul><h5>The Thermo Scientific HAWK Consumable and Maintenance Assistant, Instrument Performance Monitoring</h5><ul><li>Operational uptime is maximized with programmable alerts that notify the analyst when maintenance is required</li><li>Manage consumable inventory to ensure your laboratory is equipped for incoming samples</li><li>Instrument performance trends can be easily monitored supporting accreditation</li></ul><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1096/751;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_i_CAP_MSX_Single_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_4_0c72c734b4.jpg" alt="Thermo Fisher Scientific: iCAP MTX Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS: Ensure instruments are operational and performance is maintained: The HAWK Consumable and Maintenance Assistant alerts the user to perform critical maintenance tasks." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Fisher_Scientific_i_CAP_MSX_Single_Quadrupole_ICP_MS_4_0c72c734b4.jpg 228w," sizes="100vw" width="1096" height="751"></figure><h5>easyClick Peristaltic Pump</h5><ul><li>No manual pump tension arm required</li><li>Auto-tensioning ensures consistent results regardless of the operator</li><li>Extended peristaltic pump tubing lifetime</li></ul><h5>Unique user experience</h5><ul><li>Clear visibility of instrument status from anywhere in the laboratory with comprehensive status LED</li><li>Reduce time needed to carry out sample introduction maintenance with a system that is operator centric</li></ul>

Thermo Scientific iSC-65 Autosampler for ICP-OES & ICP-MS

Achieve robust, worry-free automation of your high-throughput trace elemental analysis workflow with the Thermo Scientific™ iSC-65 Autosampler.

Achieve robust, worry-free automation of your high-throughput trace elemental analysis workflow with the Thermo Scientific™ iSC-65 Autosampler.The iSC-65 Autosampler is built to thrive in high-throughput laboratories and difficult environments without downtime or contributing contamination to your time-critical trace elemental samples. The quiet, smooth operation will blend into the background of your working environment. Acid and solvent-resistant construction materials assure robust, reliable, precise operation.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:650/433;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_i_SC_65_Autosampler_aa73f61273.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific iSC-65 Autosampler." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_i_SC_65_Autosampler_aa73f61273.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="433"></figure><h3>Overview</h3><ul><li>Compatible with Thermo Scientific trace elemental analysis instruments: Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ MX and iCAP™ Qnova Series ICP-MS (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1487">iCAP MSX</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/1488">MTX</a>, Q, RQ, RQplus, TQ, TQe, and TQs) and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?instrumentationItems=84&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=+iCAP%E2%84%A2+">Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ PRO Series ICP-OES</a> (iCAP PRO X, PRO XP, and PRO XPS)</li><li>Four rack capacity, each supporting 21, 24, 40, 60, or 90 vial positions</li><li>Ten-position 50 mL round bottom or flat bottom standard rack</li><li>Variable speed two-channel rinse pump; luer lock rinse station fittings</li><li>X, Y, and Z drive obstruction detection</li><li>Step Ahead – programmable rinse sequence begins during sample analysis, saving time</li><li>Multi-color LED display</li><li>Complete integration with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products?category=8&amp;manufacturerItems=3&amp;search=iCAP%E2%84%A2+MSX">Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ ISDS Software</a>, including alignment and all analysis parameters</li><li>Ability to set depth individually for each vial location</li><li>Ethernet communications</li><li>Two auxiliary ports</li></ul><h3>iSC-65 Autosampler attained an ACT label</h3>Know your lab's environmental impact with the iSC-65 Autosampler, recipient of the ACT label from My Green Lab. The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label is the world's premier eco-label for laboratory products. The program ensures Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency in the reporting of environmental impact data to enable sustainable laboratory procurement. It was designed by both scientists and procurement specialists to provide clear, third-party verified information about the sustainability profile of laboratory products. By providing needed transparency around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end-of-life impacts, ACT makes it easy to choose environmentally preferable products and reduce the carbon impact of laboratory supply chains.

Products from category ICP/MS/MS (QQQ) - page 1

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