<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

Separation Science

Agilent Technologies

Milestone

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Join microwave digestion expert Macy Harris as she reviews sample prep for ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis of food and cannabis samples.
In this webinar you will learn how microwaves digest samples, recommendations on sample size and acid combinations, what good vs. bad digests look like, and where to go for help when you need it. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about your samples and processes.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Macy Harris (Applications Chemist, CEM Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Macy Harris graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She joined CEM shortly after graduating in 2017 where she brought her experience from a leading global plastics manufacturer to assist in the development and testing of the disposable Teflon products for the MARSXpress line. Macy works closely with customers to develop digestion methods for challenging samples, and solve difficult sample preparation issues. She is instrumental in providing supporting to current and potential customers in all industry areas.
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<blockquote>
Macy is an active member of the AAPFCO Methods Forum Group and the American Chemical Society.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Greg Gilleland (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Greg began his spectroscopy career in 1987 in Colorado, working at a series of environmental labs. After 14 years working in the world of commercial environmental labs, he moved on to a spectroscopy instrument manufacturer where he performed service and sales functions over the course of 11 years. He has been with Agilent Technologies, Inc., since 2012 in the role of Application Scientist for ICP-OES, MP-AES and AA products.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Demystifying Digestions: an Hour to Better Sample Prep

Demystifying Digestions: an Hour to Better Sample Prep

How microwaves digest samples, recommendations on sample size and acid combinations, what good vs. bad digests look like, and where to go for help.

Three-day virtual workshop covering 200.7 and 6010 methods from sample preparation to report generation, all in an environment where you can interact with peers and application experts from Agilent, who will be there to answer all your analytical questions.
You will Learn:
<ul>
<li>EPA Drinking Water, Waste Water, and Soil Analysis
</li>
<li>QC Parameter Setup
</li>
<li>Requirements and Techniques for Measuring Tough Samples
</li>
<li>Tips to Achieve the Highest Sensitivity
</li>
<li>Sample Preparation and Digestion Techniques
</li>
<li>Standard and QC Preparation for Trace Metal Analysis
</li>
<li>Data Analysis &amp; Processing
</li>
<li>Report Generation and Customization
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Greg Gilleland (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Greg began his spectroscopy career in 1987 in Colorado, working at a series of environmental labs. After 14 years working in the world of commercial environmental labs, he moved on to a spectroscopy instrument manufacturer where he performed service and sales functions over the course of 11 years. He has been with Agilent Technologies, Inc., since 2012 in the role of Application Scientist for ICP-OES, MP-AES and AA products.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sima Singha, PhD (ICP-OES Application Scientist, Atomic Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sima has over fifteen years of hands on experience as an applications scientist in the field of atomic spectroscopy. Before joining Agilent in 2017, managed an agricultural chemistry laboratory for the analysis of water, soil, and plant tissue digests using ICP-OES for various EPA methods. She received a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago with numerous peer-reviewed publications.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ana García González (Atomic Spectroscopy Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ana Garcia is the Atomic Spectroscopy Application Scientist at Agilent Technologies. Ana has a broad background in atomic spectroscopy technologies, including international experience developing and validating analytical spectroscopy methods for the geochemical industry. She has also published in the fields of molecular spectroscopy and chemometrics. Ana holds a MSc in plant Biotechnology at CINVESTAV, México, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: A dive into Sample Preparation and Digestion Techniques as well as Calibration Standard and QC Preparation for Trace Metal Analysis

A dive into Sample Preparation and Digestion Techniques as well as Calibration Standard and QC Preparation for Trace Metal Analysis

200.7 and 6010 methods from sample preparation to report generation.

A dive into Sample Preparation and Digestion Techniques

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely used throughout industry for its high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and fast multi-element analysis.
Applications ranging from environmental compliance to product quality control to industrial and biological monitoring require fast, ultra-trace detection in complex, high matrix samples. The latest advances in instrumentation enhance performance, robustness, and ease of use, however, achieving trace and ultra-trace detection, accurate results, and productivity goals require challenges from the sample matrix and workflow inefficiencies to be addressed in addition to developing an optimized analytical method and maintaining the instrument in peak operating condition.
This webinar series will address the challenges in trace elemental analysis by ICP-MS through best practices and the latest advances in sample digestion, sample automation, and ICP-MS instrumentation to obtain accurate, repeatable results and streamline workflow processes to save time, resources, and increase productivity.
In Part 1 of this webinar series, learn how to set up for success in ICP-MS analysis by reducing systematic errors and streamlining standard and sample preparation processes within the trace elemental analysis workflow. Discover sample preparation innovations from our guest speaker, Michael Howe, Sr. Project Manager at CEM Corporation, who will present on the latest cutting-edge microwave digestion system that accelerates sample digestion from hours to minutes with clear digestions and maximum recovery of analytes.
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>General best practices for the elemental analysis workflow to reduce systematic errors.
</li>
<li>Tips and tricks for standard solution handling, transfers, and preparation
</li>
<li>Advantages and disadvantages between the most common sample preparation methods for trace elemental analysis.
</li>
<li>Innovations in microwave digestion technology presented by CEM Corporation
</li>
</ul>
Who should attend
<ul>
<li>Laboratories performing trace elemental analysis by ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and AAS.
</li>
<li>Laboratories interested in ways to improve the efficiency of current standard and sample preparation processes.
</li>
<li>Analysts seeking information on systematic errors and how to reduce them for best analytical results.
</li>
<li>Laboratories interested in learning more about microwave digestion, the latest innovations, and benefits.
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Sabrina Antonio (Regional Marketing Manager, Trace Elemental Analysis and Inorganic Mass Spectrometry, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Sabrina’s extensive background includes senior chemical engineer and project manager at electric utilities, application specialist for atomic spectroscopy, and lead auditor for the US EPA Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) inorganic statement of work. She joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2015 as a technical sales specialist before becoming regional marketing manager for the trace elemental analysis product line in 2018.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Andy Fornadel (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Andy Fornadel is a Product Marketing Manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific with a focus on elemental spectroscopy and gas chromatography products. He has spent the past seven years in the analytical instrumentation industry in various product marketing and vertical marketing roles. He holds a PhD and an MS from Iowa State University and a BS from Juniata College.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael Howe (Sr. Project Manager, CEM Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Michael “Howie” Howe is the Sr. Project Manager for CEM Corporation. In his more than 20 years at CEM, Howie has been instrumental in helping customers solve the ever-changing needs of microwave digestion challenges.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Set up for success in ICP-MS: Standard and sample preparation best practices and innovations to reduce errors and maximize analyte recovery

Set up for success in ICP-MS: Standard and sample preparation best practices and innovations to reduce errors and maximize analyte recovery

Learn how to set up for success in ICP-MS analysis by reducing systematic errors and streamlining standard and sample preparation processes.

Set up for success in ICP-MS: Standard & sample preparation

This month-long, five-parts Energy and Chemical application workshop will showcase all Agilent atomic spectroscopy techniques, including ICP-OES and ICP-MS, and MPAES.
Week 1: We will start this series with our experts discussing sample preparation and sample introduction.
Week 2: We first give an overview of all the ASTM methods our atomic spectroscopy applications support, followed by breakout sessions with our experts of each technique for more detailed discussions. Bring your questions and comments to this small group, technique specific discussions.
Week 3: We will focus on applications (besides the ASTM methods discussed last week), both common and unique. We will continue to have breakout sessions for each technique with smaller group size and more detailed discussion for these applications. We look forward to all your comments and questions.
Week 4: We will have a live demo in one of our Center of Excellence (COE) to show you the features in both software and hardware of our ICP-OES and MPAES. We will have real world samples for the analysis and showcase the exceptional results our systems can provide.
Week 5: The workshop&#39;s final week, we will continue the live demo with features in software and hardware of our ICPMS systems, both single quadrupole, and triple quadrupole. We will show the robustness of the systems for all sample types while maintaining ultralow level analyte determination. We will also highlight the ability of the triple quadrupole system to remove interference for certain difficult analytes. In these two weeks&#39; live events, we look forward to interacting with the audience to answer any questions regarding the application or our systems.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jenny Nelson, PhD (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Jenny Nelson received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 2007, and her MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2011. Currently, Jenny is an Application Scientist for the Life Science and Chemical Analysis team at Agilent Technologies, joining in 2012 (with a step away in 2019). Jenny is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, since 2013. Jenny has been very active with AOAC and ASTM over the past eight years, serving on expert review panels, chairing committees, and volunteering to develop new methods needed by the industry. Jenny has extensive experience in operating and method development for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES). Jenny has broad knowledge and experience in different speciation analysis for many sample matrices using GC-ICPMS and LC-ICPMS. As well as vast experience with sp-ICP-MS for many applications.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Yan Cheung (Applications Chemist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Yan received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington. She joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist in the Life Science and Chemical Analysis team in April 2020. Yan has extensive experience in operating and method development in ICP-MS. Yan also has years of experience working in the oil and gas industry.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Paul Krampitz (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Chemistry Bachelor of Science degree. Twenty – five years of Spectroscopy experience mainly Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectroscopy as well as ICP-MS and AAS. Experience also includes X-Ray Fluorescence (ED, WD), Laser Ablation, Inorganic Speciation and Microwave Plasma Spectroscopy. Market Segment expertise includes environmental, petrochemical, metallurgical applications.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Mark Kelinske (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Mark Kelinske is an Applications Chemist with Agilent Technologies, specializing in advanced ICP-MS and ICP-MS/MS techniques. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas A&amp;M University in College Station, TX. Prior to Agilent, Mark was a senior research scientist and research group manager with Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, AL, where he focused on low-level analytical chemistry, method development, and research program management.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Agilent Atomic Spectroscopy in Energy and Chemicals Part 1: Sample Preparation and Sample Introduction in ICP-OES, MP-AES, and ICP-MS

Sample Preparation and Sample Introduction in ICP-OES, MP-AES, and ICP-MS

Discussing sample preparation and sample introduction.

Sample Preparation in ICP-OES, MP-AES, and ICP-MS

As our No. 1 priority remains everyone’s health and safety, please join our Virtual Workshop series of events as we work to do what we can to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.&nbsp;Join our two-hour Virtual Workshop on the analysis of metals in oil, petrochemicals, and edible oils in various semi-volatile and volatile solvents. Subject matter will include standard preparation, method development, internal standardization, and optimization for problematic elements. While you’re working remotely, join us online to learn how to further simplify and automate your organic analysis, from start-up through analysis.Agenda11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Lecture &amp; Demo: Microwave Digestion - CEM12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.: ICP-OES Hardware Overview12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Live – ICP-OES oil analysis demo12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: ICP-MS Hardware Overview1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Live – ICP-MS oil analysis demo<blockquote>Presenter: Paul Krampitz (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Chemistry Bachelor of Science degree. Twenty – five years of Spectroscopy experience mainly Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectroscopy as well as ICP-MS and AAS. Experience also includes X-Ray Fluorescence (ED, WD), Laser Ablation, Inorganic Speciation and Microwave Plasma Spectroscopy. Market Segment expertise includes environmental, petrochemical, metallurgical applications.Presenter: Bert Woods (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)Joined the Agilent ICP-MS team in 2004, with previous employment in the semiconductor industry with Dominion Semiconductor (IBM/Toshiba) and Micron. Bert is a 1997 Chemistry graduate of Radford University in Virginia and an avid Washington DC Sports fan.</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Agilent Webinars On Demand

Virtual Petrochem & Edible Oil Workshop - Agilent Petrochemical Workshop on ICP-OES and ICP-MS

Join our two-hour Virtual Workshop on the analysis of metals in oil, petrochemicals, and edible oils in various semi-volatile and volatile solvents

Agilent Petrochemical Workshop on ICP-OES and ICP-MS

Join us for an insightful webinar in which we'll focus exclusively on the advancements and applications of ICP-OES. Gain in-depth knowledge of how this technique can enhance the workflow efficiency of the analysis of advanced materials samples (including plastic and solid electrolyte) in your laboratory. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) compliance and electrolyte testing with the latest innovations.In the first presentation, we will explore the European Union's &nbsp;RoHS directive limits on specific hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Compliance with RoHS regulations, especially in testing complex materials, such as plastics, poses challenges for manufacturers, importers, and distributors. ICP-OES provides a robust solution for RoHS compliance testing in terms of measurement of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg. The presentation highlights the detailed sample preparation and precise element analysis by ICP-OES, featuring Intelligent Rinse technology.In the second presentation, we will go on to explore solid-state batteries as an emerging battery technology that uses a solid superionic electrolyte material instead of traditional liquid-phase electrolytes. Learn more about this emerging technology as well as how ICP-OES can provide a simple way to accurately determine contaminants and ensure the quality of the final battery.<h5>By attending this presentation, you will learn:</h5><ul><li>Gain a comprehensive understanding of how inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) can perform accurate analysis of hazardous substances in EEE for RoHS compliance testing and in electronic waste (e-waste) for monitoring and research purposes, while improving your laboratory’s efficiency and productivity.</li><li>Gain an understanding of solid-state battery technology and discover how to overcome hurdles while analyzing solid electrolyte using ICP-OES.</li></ul><h5>Who should attend:</h5><ul><li>Analytical chemists working in elemental analysis, materials scientists and engineers working with solid-state electrolytes or batteries, environmental scientists interested in RoHS compliance testing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, personnel involved in ensuring products meet RoHS or other regulatory standards, researchers in academia, and laboratory technicians and managers.&nbsp;</li></ul><blockquote>Presenter: Aimei Zou, Ph.D (Solution Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Singapore)Aimei joined Agilent in 2018 as a solution scientist based in Singapore. She received her Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry in 2008. Aimei has over 17 years of experience in method development, covering dynamic technologies from atomic spectroscopy, including ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and AAS, to LC and GC mass spectrometry. In her current role with the Global Solution Development Center, Aimei focuses on developing integrated workflow solutions for food, environmental, and emerging markets.Presenter:&nbsp;Ruby Bradford (Application Chemist, Agilent Technologies, Melbourne, Australia)Ruby is an application chemist at Agilent Technologies, having worked in the Atomic Spectroscopy Division since 2020. She works frequently on the analysis of fine chemicals using techniques such as ICP-OES and is experienced in method development and sample preparation techniques in the advanced materials sector. She has a particular passion for the booming lithium-ion battery market and promoting a sustainable future through electrification.</blockquote>

SeparationScience: Advanced ICP-OES Applications: From RoHS Compliance to Solid Electrolyte Analysis

Advanced ICP-OES Applications: From RoHS Compliance to Solid Electrolyte Analysis

Gain insights into how ICP-OES can optimize workflows for the analysis of complex materials.

ICP-OES Applications: Solid Electrolyte Analysis

Mercury has been banned in cosmetics by regulatory agencies, but it persists in some formulations of cosmetic products. Despite the serious health risks associated with its use, mercury is still an attractive ingredient of cosmetic products claiming to lighten skin and remove blemishes. Fraudulent creams and cosmetic products take advantage of mercury's cost-effectiveness and ability to extend shelf life. Because of these properties, mercury in its toxic form, methylmercury, can also be added later to products that have already been manufactured.<h4>The Need for Regulation and Analytical Methods</h4>The identification of such substance is central to the various regulatory frameworks. ISO has addressed this issue by introducing ISO 23674:2022, which emphasizes the use of direct mercury analysis and the ISO 23821:2022 which involves sample preparation and CV-AAS.Together with our guest speaker Dr. Maximilian Orlandi, Chemistry Lab Manager at Complife Group who has deep knowledge of the analysis of cosmetics and the ISO procedures and Iacopo Avolio, Product Specialists at Milestone, we will review the benefits of these methods.This webinar aims to highlight procedure of quantification of mercury traces in cosmetic products that consumers can be exposed to in their usage. These methods describe the determination of mercury traces in cosmetics by using direct solid analysis with no need of digestion or by CV-AAS that requires acid digestion.<blockquote>Speaker: Iacopo Avolio (Product Specialists at Milestone)Speaker: Maximilian Orlandi (Chemistry Lab Manager at Complife Group)</blockquote>

Milestone: Mercury Analysis in Cosmetics: A deep dive into the latest ISO analytical methods for trace metal determination

Mercury Analysis in Cosmetics: A deep dive into the latest ISO analytical methods for trace metal determination

Webinar aims to highlight procedure of quantification of mercury traces in cosmetic products that consumers can be exposed to in their usage.

ICPMS webinars focusing on Sample prep - page 1