<div><p><strong>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.</strong></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p></div><div><h3><strong>Interview with Filipa Oliveira: Pioneering tubular MXenes for supercapacitor energy storage</strong></h3><p><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"></p><h5><strong>Congratulations on receiving the JUNIOR STAR grant. What does this achievement mean for you and how will it influence your next steps?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>Why are tubular MXenes so innovative for energy storage?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>How did your scientific interest lead you to this field?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>What challenges have you encountered?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>What motivates you most about working at UCT Prague?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>How do&nbsp;you see your professional development going in the future?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>You are looking for new team members. What kind of students or scientists do&nbsp;you need?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h3><strong>Interview with Stella Gonsales: Catalysis as a&nbsp;key to polymer recycling</strong></h3><p><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"></p><h5><strong>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?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>Could you explain your research in layperson’s&nbsp;terms?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>What makes the JUNIOR STAR grant particularly important for your research and career development?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>What collaborations support your research?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>What advice would you give young scientists aiming to succeed?</strong></h5><p>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.</p><h5><strong>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?</strong></h5><p>Wichterle’<s>’</s>s&nbsp;innovative spirit motivates me to push creative boundaries and pursue novel solutions in sustainable chemistry.</p><h5><strong>What are your visions for the future?</strong></h5><p>I&nbsp;aim to build a&nbsp;research group that advances sustainable polymer recycling, contributing to environmental responsibility and the circular economy.</p><h5><strong>You are recruiting people for your team. What skills do&nbsp;they need to have?</strong></h5><p>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.</p></div>

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

<p><strong>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.</strong></p><p><strong>The TITAN Themis microscope </strong>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<strong> the most powerful commercially available electron microscopes</strong>; 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.</p><p><i>"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,"</i> explains <strong>Jan Michalička</strong>, guarantor of the TITAN microscope. "<i>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." </i>For better understanding, he adds a comparison: <i>"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."</i> 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.</p><p><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"></p><p>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. <i>"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," </i>says Jan Michalička.</p><h4><strong>The additional installation of a corrector at the CEITEC laboratory is unique worldwide</strong></h4><p><strong>Correctors of optical defects in electromagnetic lenses are an exceptional technology</strong> 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. <i>“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,”</i> adds Jan Michalička.</p><p><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"></p><p>The additional installation of a corrector is <strong>unique </strong>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. <i>"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,"</i> 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. <i>"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."</i></p><p><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"></p><h4><strong>New spectrometer will enable scientists to see more</strong></h4><p>The second and equally important upgrade to the TITAN microscope is the installation of <strong>the latest generation GIF Continuum HR electron energy loss spectrometer by Gatan</strong>. 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.</p><p><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"></p><p>An essential part of the spectrometer are the <strong>state-of-the-art K3 and Stela cameras</strong>, which can directly detect and count individual electrons. At the same time, these cameras are extremely fast and their sensors capture data without noise. <i>"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,"</i> says Jan Michalička.</p><p><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"></p><p>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. <i>"The device is fully prepared for advanced experiments and the use of modern software tools, including artificial intelligence,"</i> adds <strong>Vojtěch Uhlíř</strong>, head of the <i>Nanomagnetism and Spintronics</i> research group at CEITEC BUT and one of the TERAFIT project investigators, highlighting the advantages of the spectrometer.</p><p>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. <i>“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.</i>” 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/"><strong>CzechNanoLab</strong></a>, agrees with him, adding that the device can now contribute to scientific knowledge on a global scale. <i>“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.”</i></p><p><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"></p><blockquote><p>Do you want to know more? Read the<strong> </strong><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"><strong>expert version</strong></a><strong> </strong>of this article.</p></blockquote>

Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories

<p><strong>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 </strong><i><strong>Nature Chemical Biology</strong></i><strong>.</strong></p><p><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"></p><div><p>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.</p><p>In their study,<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>Dr. Hana Cahová</strong></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.</p><p>The work was significantly shaped by <strong>Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team</strong>, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by <strong>Jana Škerlová</strong>, 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.</p><p>Hana Cahová adds: <i>“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.”</i></p><p><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"></p><div><p>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by<strong> Dr. Tomáš Kouba</strong>, one of the authors of the study. <i>“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,”</i> he explains.</p><p>Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>cryo-EM center</strong></a><strong> </strong>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.</p><p><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"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>The Original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5"><strong>Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with Np<sub>n</sub>Ns by bacterial RNA polymerase</strong></a></h4><p>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;</p><p>Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)</p><p><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></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>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 <i>Thermus</i> <i>thermophilus</i>. 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.</p></div></div>

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

Article

Scientists

Science and research

Video

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

Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark™ Optical Emission Spectrometers

High-performance spark OES system for elemental and inclusion analysis in metals. Offers fast, precise results with advanced optics, signal processing, and automation readiness.

<h4><strong>High-performance spark OES platform for advanced elemental and inclusion analysis in metals</strong></h4><p><strong>The ARL iSpark series is a powerful platform of optical emission spectrometers designed for fast, precise, and flexible analysis of metallic samples across the iron and steel, non-ferrous, and precious metals industries. Based on the renowned ARL PMT optical technology and equipped with state-of-the-art spark source and signal processing, the ARL iSpark offers unmatched analytical capability, long-term stability, and ease of use in routine and advanced OES workflows.</strong></p><h3><strong>Key Features and Benefits</strong></h3><h4>🔬 <strong>Advanced PMT Optics</strong></h4><ul><li>Legendary one-meter focal length Paschen-Runge mount</li><li>High dispersion and resolution in a compact, sealed vacuum body</li><li>Direct optical path ensures maximum sensitivity</li><li>Superior performance in multi-base and trace-level analysis</li></ul><h4>⚡ <strong>Innovative Spark Source – IntelliSource™</strong></h4><ul><li>Controlled discharge shaping for optimal ablation and excitation</li><li>Flexible dual current control (CCS) for all metallic matrices</li><li>DISC™ (Discharge Interrupt by Short-Circuit) improves trace repeatability</li></ul><h4>🧠 <strong>Superior Signal Acquisition</strong></h4><ul><li>Time Gated Acquisition (TGA) for ultra-precise measurement</li><li>Single Spark Acquisition (SSA) for better signal stability</li><li>DISIRE algorithm for improved precision by removing diffuse signals</li><li>FAST algorithm for selecting only optimal single spark data</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Pragolab_Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_OES_spektrometr_5_606072e779.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark™ Optical Emission Spectrometers" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Pragolab_Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_OES_spektrometr_5_606072e779.jpg 202w," sizes="100vw" width="1101" height="851"></p><h3><strong>Micro-Inclusion Analysis with Spark-DAT™</strong></h3><ul><li>Rapid inclusion characterization during routine OES</li><li>Simultaneous elemental and inclusion analysis (e.g. Al₂O₃, MnS, TiB₂)</li><li>No need for surface polishing or special sample prep</li><li>Standard and advanced modes for inclusion size, type, and oxygen content</li></ul><h3><strong>User-Friendly Design</strong></h3><ul><li>Compact, front-access design allows wall or corner installation</li><li>Quick table changeover without tools</li><li>Air-cooled spark stand with reduced argon consumption</li><li>Smart Argon Management (SAM) with ECOmode and argon-saving presets</li></ul><h3><strong>OXSAS Software Suite</strong></h3><ul><li>Comprehensive instrument control, calibration, and diagnostics</li><li>Flexible user access levels and full traceability</li><li>Maintenance management and quality tools</li><li>Seamless integration with automation and SMS sample handling</li></ul><h3><strong>Applications</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Ferrous and non-ferrous metals</strong>: steel, copper, aluminum, nickel, titanium</li><li><strong>Precious metals</strong> and specialty alloys</li><li><strong>Inclusion analysis</strong>: cleanness control in steel/aluminum</li><li><strong>QA/QC</strong>, production control, and R&amp;D in metallurgy and foundries</li><li>Compatible with <strong>manual or fully automated workflows</strong></li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Pragolab_Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_OES_spektrometr_6_fa6dd82e9f.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark™ Optical Emission Spectrometers" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Pragolab_Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_OES_spektrometr_6_fa6dd82e9f.jpg 198w," sizes="100vw" width="938" height="738"></p>

Thermo Scientific ARL easySpark Metal Analyzer

The ARL easySpark™ Metal Analyzer delivers fast, accurate OES analysis of solid metals from trace to percent levels. Compact, cost-effective, and easy to use—ideal for foundries and metal producers.

<p><strong>Perform fast, accurate and reliable elemental analysis of solid metal samples from trace to percent level with the Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ easySpark™ Metal Analyzer. This new benchtop optical emission spectrometry (OES) instrument is specially designed for foundries and metal processors who need advanced metal analysis to produce parts for automotive, aviation, aerospace, consumer products, and other industries. Easy to install, use, and maintain, the ARL easySpark analyzer is accessible to non-experts in OES who require efficiency and productivity in metal and alloy production.</strong></p><p>The ARL easySpark metal analyzer is designed to meet the challenges and demands of small-to medium-sized plants and laboratories in the metal industry that require high-quality, yet cost-effective OES analysis to produce parts for automotive, aviation, aerospace and consumer products, among other industries. The instrument features a unique multi-grating/CCD (charge-coupled device)-based optical system that delivers a high level of resolution.</p><h5><strong>Additional benefits of the Thermo Scientific ARL easySpark analyzer include:</strong></h5><ul><li>The ability to accurately analyze all elements from trace to percentage level in any solid metal sample.</li><li>Revolutionary spark source and optic design for best performance in its category.</li><li>Intuitive easy <strong>Thermo Scientific™ OXSAS &nbsp;analysis software</strong> for a fast learning curve and easy routine operations.</li><li>A robust and reliable construction that requires minimal maintenance.</li><li>Compliance with safety standards and quality regulations.&nbsp;</li><li>Simple design accessible to novice production operators and skilled laboratory staff alike.</li><li>Well suited for additional markets including metals recycling, academic and non-academic laboratories, and primary metals producers looking for an economic solution to analyze their metal products and materials for quality and process control or for a back-up instrument.</li></ul>

 Thermo Scientific™ ARL iSpark™ Plus Series OES Metal Analyzer

Thermo Scientific™ ARL iSpark™ Plus Series OES is a versatile metals analyzer for everything from routine analysis to R&D, built to perform reliably even in the harshest environments.

<h4><strong>Versatile, high-performance spark OES spectrometer for all metal analysis needs</strong></h4><p><strong>Metal processors need a versatile elemental analysis solution for the wide range of metallurgical samples they deal with. From routine elemental analysis to metals R&amp;D, the Thermo Scientific™ ARL iSpark™ Plus Series OES Metal Analyzer provides the solution sought by primary metals producers, foundries, fabricators in the automotive, aviation and appliance industries, contract laboratories, and recyclers.</strong></p><p>Adapted to the harshest environments, <strong>ARL iSpark Plus</strong> offers high functionality, superior analytical performance and robustness to achieve your productivity and quality objectives. Its fast and stable analysis enables production of more heats and a faster return on investment.</p><h3><strong>Key Features and Benefits</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>High-speed performance</strong>: 15% faster analysis time than previous models</li><li><strong>Low maintenance</strong>: 30% longer maintenance intervals, tool-free spark stand design</li><li><strong>Minimal memory effects</strong>: Virtually no carry-over across major matrices</li><li><strong>High stability and uptime</strong>: Improved hardware and software components ensure long-term accuracy</li></ul><h3><strong>Analytical Excellence</strong></h3><ul><li>Unique <strong>PMT optics</strong> based on the legendary ARL 3460/4460 platform</li><li><strong>Revolutionary digital spark generator</strong> with IntelliSource double CCS for precise discharge tailoring</li><li><strong>Advanced spark stand</strong> for efficient ablation, low argon consumption, and rapid maintenance</li><li><strong>Outstanding analytical precision</strong> across trace, minor and major elements</li><li><strong>Ultra-fast analysis of non-metallic micro-inclusions</strong> with Spark-DAT technology</li><li><strong>Quantitative inclusion size determination</strong> and total oxygen content in killed steels</li><li><strong>True factory calibrations</strong> using certified reference materials (CRMs) and CARL MVR software</li><li><strong>Optional fire assay configuration</strong> for direct analysis of lead buttons with detection limits suitable for Au, Ag, PGMs — replacing complex cupellation steps</li></ul><h3><strong>Smart Design and Usability</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Smart Argon Management (SAM)</strong> with user-programmable ECO modes</li><li><strong>Compact footprint</strong> with full front access and wall-installation compatibility</li><li><strong>Hydraulic sample cover</strong> for safe and easy operation</li><li><strong>Quick-change sample tables</strong> for increased throughput</li></ul><h3><strong>Innovative Signal Processing</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Single Spark Acquisition (SSA)</strong> and <strong>DISIRE</strong> algorithm for enhanced accuracy</li><li><strong>FAST</strong> algorithm for optimal spark selection</li><li><strong>TGA (Time Gated Acquisition)</strong> for low background and noise suppression</li><li><strong>OXSAS software</strong> for full system control, data management, traceability, and maintenance planning</li></ul><h3><strong>Application Flexibility</strong></h3><ul><li>Ready-to-use, factory-calibrated packages for:<ul><li>Iron and steel</li><li>Non-ferrous metals and alloys</li><li>Precious metals</li><li>Fire assay (lead buttons)</li></ul></li><li>Calibration extensions available for specific needs</li><li>Optional Spark-DAT tools for inclusion analysis and soluble/insoluble elemental speciation</li></ul><h3><strong>Automation and Support</strong></h3><ul><li>Full compatibility with <strong>ARL SMS</strong> automation systems for sample preparation and handling</li><li><strong>Worldwide technical support</strong>, IQ/OQ qualification, and remote diagnostics</li><li>Continuous <strong>software updates</strong> and training resources to ensure long-term success</li></ul><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_Plus_Series_OES_Metal_Analyzer_4_3ef7d1dac8.jpg" alt=" Thermo Scientific™ ARL iSpark™ Plus Series OES Metal Analyzer" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ARL_i_Spark_Plus_Series_OES_Metal_Analyzer_4_3ef7d1dac8.jpg 200w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="506"></p>

Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark Plus Fire Assay Analyzer

Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark Plus Fire Assay Analyzer – fast and accurate spark-OES system for direct precious metals analysis in lead buttons without cupellation.

<h4><strong>Efficient and Clean Alternative to Traditional Fire Assay</strong></h4><p><strong>Traditional fire assay analysis is labor-intensive, expensive and environmentally harmful.</strong><br><strong>The Thermo Scientific™ ARL™ iSpark Plus Fire Assay Analyzer provides a simple and clean alternative to traditional cupellation and analysis stages by using spark optical emission spectrometry (OES) to determine precious metal concentrations directly in lead buttons.</strong></p><p>With this system, you can achieve <strong>simultaneous quantitative determination</strong> of all precious metals in fire assay lead buttons <strong>in less than a minute</strong>.<br>The ARL iSpark Plus is a <strong>high-end spark OES spectrometer specially optimized for lead button analysis</strong>.</p><h3><strong>Applications and Detection Capabilities</strong></h3><p><strong>The analyzer is ideal for various types of samples in:</strong></p><ul><li>Gold and platinum mining (plant control, exploration, metal accounting)</li><li>Precious metals refining and recycling</li><li>Contract laboratories</li></ul><p><strong>Thanks to:</strong></p><ul><li>1-meter focal length Paschen-Runge optics</li><li>High-performance photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)</li><li>Advanced signal processing technologies</li></ul><p>…it offers <strong>excellent detection limits</strong> for <strong>trace levels</strong> of gold, silver, and platinum group elements in lead buttons.</p><h4><strong>Key Benefits and Technical Highlights</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Unmatched hardware</strong> for long-term stability and reliability</li><li><strong>Exceptional performance</strong> in detection limits, precision, accuracy and speed</li><li><strong>Minimal training</strong> required for operators</li><li><strong>Automation-ready</strong>: streamlined sample prep and high throughput</li><li><strong>Factory-calibrated</strong> for fast commissioning</li><li><strong>Compatible with automated fire assay labs</strong></li></ul><h4><strong>Advanced Technology Inside</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Current Controlled Source (CCS)</strong>: Flexible spark discharge control for high sensitivity, reproducibility and small sample geometry</li><li><strong>Time Resolved Spectroscopy (TRS)</strong>: Signal acquisition at optimal timing for improved sensitivity and precision</li><li><strong>1-meter Paschen-Runge vacuum polychromator</strong> for excellent resolution</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/products/2028"><strong>Thermo Scientific™ OXSAS™ software</strong></a>: Powerful and intuitive interface</li><li><strong>Temperature-controlled cast iron cabinet</strong>: ±0.1°C at 38 °C</li><li><strong>Argon-flushed, water-cooled table</strong> with closed-loop coolant system</li></ul>

Products from category Glow-discharge OES distributed by Thermo Fisher Scientific (EMEA) - page 1

Related content

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

Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories

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