<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

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

Metrohm

Merck

Agilent Technologies

Bruker

Wiley

Agilent Vaya Raman spectrometer is a true see-through-barrier instrument with great adaptivity and sensitivity. The Agilent Vaya Raman system tests more raw materials for the same cost and reduces the need for sampling. Vaya offers best-in-class ID testing through transparent containers, and transformative handheld testing through nontransparent containers—for the fastest possible release to manufacturing.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Yanqia Wang, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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<blockquote>
Dr. Yanqia Wang started working for Agilent Technologies Inc. as a FTIR application Engineer in 2013, providing pre-&amp;post-sale application support. The products he covers from Bench-top FTIR microscopes to various Mobile FTIR spectrometers. Dr. Wang received his PhD of analytical chemistry from Duke University in 2004, doing dynamic IR spectroscopy research. Then he joined Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics at Duke University, doing Tissue Raman spectrometer instrumentation. Since 2007, Dr. Wang worked for Avery Dennison Corp. as a spectroscopist, providing molecular analytical support to the research &amp; development.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Through Barrier Verification using a Handheld Spectrometer with SORS

Through Barrier Verification using a Handheld Spectrometer with SORS

Agilent Vaya Raman spectrometer is a true see-through-barrier instrument with great adaptivity and sensitivity. 

Through Barrier Verification by SORS Handheld Spectrometer

The Agilent TRS100 Raman system is ideal for fast assay of tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms. Transmission Raman technology from Agilent enables simple method-development and deployment in QC applications. It is easy to implement in analytical laboratories and production areas, and has regulatory approvals for content uniformity (CU), assay, and identification (ID) applications.<blockquote>Presenter: Yanqia Wang, PhD (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Dr. Yanqia Wang started working for Agilent Technologies Inc. as a FTIR application Engineer in 2013, providing pre-&amp;post-sale application support. The products he covers from Bench-top FTIR microscopes to various Mobile FTIR spectrometers. Dr. Wang received his PhD of analytical chemistry from Duke University in 2004, doing dynamic IR spectroscopy research. Then he joined Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics at Duke University, doing Tissue Raman spectrometer instrumentation. Since 2007, Dr. Wang worked for Avery Dennison Corp. as a spectroscopist, providing molecular analytical support to the research &amp; development.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Measurement of Content Uniformity Using the TRS100 Quantitative Pharmaceutical Analysis System

Measurement of Content Uniformity Using the TRS100 Quantitative Pharmaceutical Analysis System

The Agilent TRS100 Raman system is ideal for fast assay of tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms.

TRS100 Quantitative Pharmaceutical Analysis System

In this webinar, you will learn:
<ul>
<li>Learn about new possibilities for using Raman technology</li>
<li>Discover uses and benefits of Raman technology in quality control of cell culture media preparation</li>
</ul>
Detailed description: 
Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) are used to measure Critical Process Parameters (CCPs) which affect Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs). They are therefore particularly interesting for better process knowledge and control. Raman spectroscopy has already demonstrated very good results in real-time monitoring of main parameters of cell cultures. This technology could also be used in other steps of a manufacturing process. 
In this webinar, we will explore the possibilities of using Raman spectroscopy for quality control of cell culture media preparation. We will discuss the benefits of using this technology at this step and the demonstrated performances.
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Presenter: Nathan Gay (Bioprocess Applications Engineer)
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Nathan Gay works as applications engineer at our company and is specialized in bioprocesses. He works on the implementation of Raman technology developing proofs of concept and researching new applications. Nathan has an engineer’s degree in biotechnology from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Technologie des Biomolécules de Bordeaux (ENSTBB), obtained in a work-study program with our company as an Industrialization Expert for the technology transfer between development and production in USP and DSP.
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MERCK: Monitoring and quality control of cell culture media preparation using Raman spectroscopy

Monitoring and quality control of cell culture media preparation using Raman spectroscopy

In this webinar, we will explore the possibilities of using Raman spectroscopy for quality control of cell culture media preparation.

Control of Cell culture media preparation Raman spectroscopy

Agglomeration of ingredients in tablets is a concern for formulators.
It is typically observed using Raman spectroscopy, an extremely time-consuming technique. This presentation will discuss an alternative to Raman, i.e., &quot;Laser Direct Infrared Imaging&quot;, which provides rapid imaging of content distribution in tablets.
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Presenter: Louis Tisinger (Application Engineer, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
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Louis (Lou) Tisinger has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford Ohio, where his graduate research involved the study of ATR imaging and microscope performance in vibrational spectroscopy. Most of his career has been related to pre- and post-sales support of FTIR spectrometers, microscopes, imaging systems, and thermal analytical instruments, focusing on analyzing customer samples, demonstrations, post-sales training, troubleshooting, and R&amp;D.
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Agilent Technologies: Convenient Way to Evaluate Content Distribution in Solid Dosage Forms

Convenient Way to Evaluate Content Distribution in Solid Dosage Forms

An alternative to Raman, i.e., "Laser Direct Infrared Imaging", which provides rapid imaging of content distribution in tablets.

Evaluate Content Distribution in Solid Dosage Forms

Learn more about handheld Raman technologies and their effectiveness for raw material control in pharmaceutical manufacturing settings.
The use of the NanoRam-1064 is highlighted as it can be used to overcome fluorescence and is able to identify many complex and colored materials often used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
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Presenter: Katherine A. Bakeev, Ph.D. (B&amp;W Tek)
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Presenter: Adam J. Hopkins, Ph.D. (Metrohm USA)
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Raw Material Control Strategies

Learn more about handheld Raman technologies and their effectiveness for raw material control in pharmaceutical manufacturing settings.

Raw Material Control Strategies with handheld Raman

Comparing IR and Raman spectra to spectral libraries is one of the most widely used and successful methodologies in structural elucidation and the identification of unknowns. In this session we will introduce Wiley’s KnowItAll solutions and how they can help to accelerate your IR and Raman analyses.
Wiley’s KnowItAll software offers integrated solutions to identify, analyze, and manage analytical and chemical data. Combined with comprehensive high-quality spectral reference databases, it provides one of the most advanced technologies available for fast, reliable spectral analysis. 
<h5>We will demonstrate how KnowItAll can help solve unknown IR and Raman spectra through a series of examples including:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Material identification </li>
<li>Mixture decomposition </li>
<li>Functional group analysis</li>
</ul>
<h5>This session is recommended for:</h5>
<ul>
<li>Scientists and chemists who use IR and/or Raman and are interested in learning more about KnowItAll’s capabilities. </li>
<li>Professors and students engaged in chemistry and vibrational spectroscopy courses or lab work.</li>
</ul>
<h5>About KnowItAll:</h5>
KnowItAll combines all the tools and spectral databases you need for effective analysis into a single, easy-to-use interface to make your lab its most efficient. Compatible with over 130 instrument formats, it streamlines your entire workflow regardless of how many techniques and instruments you use. Learn more at sciencesolutions.wiley.com
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Presenter: Dr. Leanna Ergin 
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Dr. Leanna Ergin is an Assistant Editor for Wiley Science Solutions, for which she helps create tools for spectroscopy, structural, and scientific standard reference data and helps create innovative software applications. Leanna completed her PhD in Clinical-Bioanalytical Chemistry from Cleveland State University, where she developed a protocol for processing hyperspectral image data that distinguishes the spectra, removes degeneracies caused by symmetry, and is generalized to work with any number of wavelength dimensions and spectra. 
</blockquote>

Wiley: Introduction to KnowItAll for IR & Raman (Vibrational Spectroscopy)

Introduction to KnowItAll for IR & Raman (Vibrational Spectroscopy)

We will demonstrate how KnowItAll can help solve unknown IR and Raman spectra through a series of examples.

Introduction to KnowItAll for IR & Raman Spectroscopy

Polymer manufacturers and processors are increasingly replacing wet chemical methods with non-destructive spectroscopic testing to ensure product quality. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is particularly suited for quantifying key chemical and physical parameters such as moisture content, hydroxyl and acid number, melt flow rate, viscosity, and density, while Raman spectroscopy excels at characterizing chemical composition and identifying additives and impurities.In an upcoming webinar on March 19, Dr. Maria Cartes and Kristen Frano from Metrohm take a closer look at both technologies. Diverse application examples will demonstrate how polymer manufacturers can use NIR and Raman spectroscopy to achieve a deeper understanding of their materials, improve product quality, reduce waste, and enhance the overall efficiency of their quality control process.Maria and Kristen are joined by Dr. André Koch from Hauff-Technik, a leading manufacturer of sealing systems for cables, pipes, and building entries. André will explain how handheld Raman spectroscopy has helped Hauff-Technik establish a highly efficient solution for raw material identification (RMID).At the end of the webinar, all three presenters will be available to answer questions in a live Q&amp;A session.<h4>Key learnings of this webinar:</h4><ul><li>Understand the specific strengths of NIR and Raman spectroscopy for polymer analysis</li><li>Understand why these technologies are complementary in their capabilities</li><li>Learn how spectroscopy makes the entire polymer production process including quality control of the final product more efficient</li></ul><h4>Who should attend?</h4><ul><li>Lab technicians, lab managers and QC managers from the polymer industry</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Maria Cartes (Product Specialist Spectroscopy, Metrohm International Headquarters)Dr. Maria Cartes studied chemistry. After finishing her PhD studies on ethylene polymerization at the University of Seville (Spain), she moved to Switzerland to work as a postdoc. In 2021, Maria joined Metrohm, where she works as Product Specialist in the Competence Center Spectroscopy, providing international support and product training for NIRS.Presenter:&nbsp;Dr. André Koch (Head of quality management and management systems, Hauff Technik)André received his PhD in chemistry at the university of Ulm. He joined the nuclear industry for 7 years and then turned to the chemical industry, where he headed a physico-chemical GLP laboratory for pesticide analysis. Since 2018 André takes care of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety topics at Hauff-Technik, which is the leading company for wall insert technology.Presenter:&nbsp;Kristen Frano (Product Manager Spectroscopy, Metrohm Spectro)Kristen Frano joined B&amp;W Tek (a Metrohm company) in 2016 as an application scientist specializing in laboratory and handheld Raman instrumentation. Over the years, she has collaborated with users on diverse applications including polymers, art conservation, and pharmaceuticals. Since 2022 Kristen has been supporting laboratory Raman products throughout Metrohm as a product manager based at Metrohm Spectro in Plainsboro, NJ (USA).</blockquote>

Metrohm: Rethinking the quality control of polymers: The benefits of near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy explained

Rethinking the quality control of polymers: The benefits of near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy explained

Understand the specific strengths of NIR and Raman spectroscopy for polymer analysis and why these technologies are complementary in their capabilities.

Benefits of near-infrared and Raman spectroscopy explained

Once again, we point out the strong synergies of pharmaceutical research, process development and quality control with Raman microscopy. In this webinar, our Raman expert Di Yan will first highlight the basics and then analyze three typical samples. For this, we leave the "PowerPoint monotony" and go hands-on with the Raman microscope. Afterwards there will be a live question and answer session to answer your questions.You will learn about:<ul><li>How to apply Raman microscopy</li><li>What to look out for in Raman instrumentation</li><li>How to comply with regulations using a Raman microscope</li></ul>What is the goal of the webinar:<ul><li>Demonstrate the utility of Raman microscopy in Pharma</li><li>Highlight the unique benefits of Raman microscopy</li></ul>We will discuss:<ul><li>Relationships between Raman and other techniques (e.g. XRD)</li><li>Basics of Raman microscopy and imaging</li><li>Application example #1: API distribution</li><li>Application example #2: Polymorphism</li><li>Application example #3: Particle analysis</li></ul>Who should attend:<ul><li>R&amp;D specialists, especially process developers</li><li>Quality control and PAT specialists</li><li>Planning to buy Raman microscope</li><li>Thinking about implementing Raman microscopy</li><li>Want to learn more about Raman microscopy in Pharma</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Dr. Di YanDr. Di Yan is a product manager at Bruker for Raman microscopy. He has studied physical chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University and Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and has extensive experience in Raman detection techniques.</blockquote>

Bruker: Tools for Pharmaceutical Troubleshooting: Raman Microscopy

Tools for Pharmaceutical Troubleshooting: Raman Microscopy

In this webinar, our Raman expert Di Yan will first highlight the basics and then analyze three typical samples.

We collected real-life applications of particle analysis in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control and present them in this brief 20 minute webinar.Learn about the differences of FT-IR and Raman microscopy in particle analysis and which technique is the best for a specific scenario.

Bruker: Root Cause, Particle and Failure Analysis in Pharmaceutical Industries

Root Cause, Particle and Failure Analysis in Pharmaceutical Industries

Learn about the differences of FT-IR and Raman microscopy in particle analysis and which technique is the best for a specific scenario.

Particle Analysis in Pharmaceutical Industries

Whether you're working in agriculture, food, material science, or cultural heritage, you’ll gain the ability to uncover hidden chemical details on coatings, surfaces, and materials even through opaque packaging, films, or glass containers.With no sample preparation, no consumables, and intuitive handheld operation, these robust instruments bring lab-quality performance directly to the field–get excellent spectra everywhere!<h5>By attending this webinar, you’ll discover how these technologies enable:</h5><ul><li>Nondestructive, real-time detection of plant diseases, plant exposure to herbicides, phenotyping, and different plant stresses (abiotic stresses like water deficit, heat, light-induced, and salinity stresses, and biotic stresses).</li><li>Food safety and quality control for example authentication and adulteration of honey.</li><li>Authentication of preservation fluids.</li><li>Chemical detail in heritage artifacts or detection of endangered animal species.</li><li>Polymer ID and degradation, film thickness, and adhesive ID through a topcoat film.</li></ul><h5>By attending this webinar, you'll:</h5><ul><li>Learn how SORS Raman and infrared technologies complement each others.</li><li>Understand the strengths of each technique and how they can work together to provide a more complete chemical analysis—noninvasively and in real time.</li><li>Explore practical case studies in agriculture, food safety, and heritage science.</li><li>See how easy it is to operate the systems—from sample scanning to data interpretation—using intuitive software and handheld devices.</li></ul><h5>Who should attend?</h5><ul><li>Agriculture scientists</li><li>Academic researchers</li><li>Material research scientists</li><li>Art conservators</li><li>Food researchers</li><li>Counterfeit auditors and regulators</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Jan Wülfken (Product Specialist, Raman Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies)Jan Wulfken graduated from the University of Hamburg in 1997, first with a diploma thesis about NMR-based conformation analysis of an antimicrobial peptide, and again in 2001 with his PhD thesis about developing CD4-binding peptides as inhibitors for HIV infection. He joined Varian, inc. in 2001 as a sales representative for molecular spectroscopy. With the acquisition of Varian in 2010 by Agilent, he took over the position of a product specialist for molecular spectroscopy in the Agilent International Distributor Organization (IDO). Today, his responsibility is the full Agilent molecular spectroscopy portfolio, including UV-Vis, UV-Vis/NIR, fluorescence, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy, in IDO.Presenter: Donald Inglis (Product Specialist, Handheld FTIR Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies)Donald Inglis studied electronics at Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has worked in analytical instrumentation for over 30 years. He started his career as a field service engineer in chromatography and mass spectrometry before moving into commercial sales and then on to becoming a product specialist in portable, handheld FTIR and Raman systems over a decade ago at Agilent. His product specialist role at Agilent involves advising customers and building solutions for the various analytical challenges they face within their workspace.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Surface Measurement and Beyond-Nondestructive Testing with Handheld FTIR and SORS Raman Spectroscopy

Surface Measurement and Beyond-Nondestructive Testing with Handheld FTIR and SORS Raman Spectroscopy

Join us for an engaging webinar! Agilent portable SORS Raman and FTIR systems are simplifying in situ chemical analysis.