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

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

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

Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories

<p><strong>Scientists at IOCB Prague are uncovering new details of gene transcription. They have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which the transcription of genetic information from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into ribonucleic acid (RNA) can be initiated. The researchers focused on a specific class of molecules known as alarmones, which are found in cells across a wide range of organisms and whose levels often increase under conditions of cellular stress. The results were published in the prestigious scientific journal </strong><i><strong>Nature Chemical Biology</strong></i><strong>.</strong></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Hana Cahová, head of the Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids research group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"></p><div><p>Molecules of ribonucleic acid can carry a variety of chemical modifications at one end, known as caps. In eukaryotic organisms, including human cells, the best-known cap plays an important role in RNA stability and in regulating its subsequent fate. In recent years, however, it has become clear that alternative, non-canonical RNA caps also exist, although their formation and the mechanisms by which they are attached to RNA remain only partially understood. These include alarmone caps, formed by dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules, that protect cellular RNA at moments when the cell is under threat.</p><p>In their study,<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>Dr. Hana Cahová</strong></a> and colleagues examined bacterial RNA polymerase and investigated how this enzyme can initiate transcription using dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpNs) instead of the standard RNA building blocks. For the first time, the scientists described, at the atomic level, how RNA bearing an alarmone cap can be generated directly at the initiation of gene transcription. They also observed that NpNs bind through a different type of base pairing than is typically observed.</p><p>The work was significantly shaped by <strong>Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team</strong>, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by <strong>Jana Škerlová</strong>, who focused on the structural analysis of RNA polymerase. Using cryogenic electron microscopy data, she showed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind within the active site of RNA polymerase – that is, the core of the enzyme where genetic information is transcribed. Together, their findings help to elucidate the processes that accompany the transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA.</p><p>Hana Cahová adds: <i>“We’re describing something that truly occurs in cells and that we’re now able to observe directly at the level of individual molecules. This allows us to answer fundamental questions about cellular processes, such as how cells adapt to stress. RNA plays a central role in this, as it carries the cascade of information underlying any cellular response – for example, to threatening conditions caused by nutrient deprivation or temperature shock.”</i></p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Tomáš Kouba, head of the Cryogenic Electron Microscopy core facility." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"></p><div><p>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by<strong> Dr. Tomáš Kouba</strong>, one of the authors of the study. <i>“Cryogenic electron microscopy allows us to freeze biological molecules in a state very close to their natural form and then determine their three-dimensional structure. This makes it possible to look directly into the active centers of enzymes and observe their function down to the atomic level,”</i> he explains.</p><p>Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en"><strong>cryo-EM center</strong></a><strong> </strong>that is unique within the Czech research environment. State-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopes are housed in a specially designed building and enable the study of biological processes with exceptional structural precision.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: This work shows how NpnNs initiate bacterial transcription. Cryo-EM reveals how nucleobases pair with the template: one in canonical and one in reverse Watson–Crick mode, providing a structural basis for their function as non-canonical RNA caps." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1077"></p><blockquote><h4><strong>The Original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5"><strong>Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with Np<sub>n</sub>Ns by bacterial RNA polymerase</strong></a></h4><p>Valentina M. Serianni, Jana Škerlová, Anna Knopp Dubánková, Anton Škríba, Hana Šváchová, Tereza Vučková, Anatolij Filimoněnko, Milan Fábry, Pavlína Řezáčová, Tomáš Kouba &amp; Hana Cahova&nbsp;</p><p>Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5</a></p><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><strong>CC-BY 4.0</strong></a></h6></blockquote><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>RNA capped with dinucleoside polyphosphates has been discovered in bacteria and eukaryotes only recently. The likely mechanism of this specific capping involves direct incorporation of dinucleoside polyphosphates by RNA polymerase as noncanonical initiating nucleotides. However, how these compounds bind into the active site of RNA polymerase during transcription initiation is unknown. Here, we explored transcription initiation in vitro, using a series of DNA templates in combination with dinucleoside polyphosphates and model RNA polymerase from <i>Thermus</i> <i>thermophilus</i>. We observed that the transcription start site can vary on the basis of the compatibility of the specific template and dinucleoside polyphosphate. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of transcription initiation complexes with dinucleoside polyphosphates revealed that both nucleobase moieties can pair with the DNA template. The first encoded nucleotide pairs in a canonical Watson–Crick manner, whereas the second nucleobase pairs noncanonically in a reverse Watson–Crick manner. Our work provides a structural explanation of how dinucleoside polyphosphates initiate RNA transcription.</p></div></div>

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

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

CEITEC

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

UCT Prague

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

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

Mettler-Toledo

Anton Paar

<p><strong>From Basic to Advanced of Scratch </strong>is a course with three sessions, in which participants will explore strategies for optimizing test parameters, defining critical loads, and utilizing advanced quantitative techniques such as wedge blade testing and coating recovery. This series is designed to enhance your ability to accurately assess and interpret scratch test data, providing insights that are directly applicable to a wide range of material testing scenarios.</p><h3><strong>January 21, 2025:&nbsp;Fundamentals of Scratch&nbsp;</strong></h3><p style="margin:7.5pt 0in .0001pt;">This webinar provides a thorough introduction to the theory and practice of instrumented scratch testing, a critical method for evaluating the mechanical properties of materials under stress. Key topics include the goals of scratch testing, offering insight into why this technique is essential for understanding material behavior. We will explore the fundamental mechanisms that drive scratch testing, review important testing heuristics that guide experimental setups, and discuss strategies for data interpretation to ensure accurate and meaningful results.</p><p style="line-height:normal;">By the end of this webinar, participants will have a solid foundation in scratch testing techniques and their practical applications in material analysis.</p><div><div><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote></div></div>

Anton Paar: Beyond the Surface Module 2 - Scratch Series: From Basic to Advanced Scratch

Fundamentals of Scratch

An introduction to the theory of instrumented scratch testing, a critical method for evaluating the mechanical properties of materials under stress.

Scratch Series: Fundamentals of Scratch

<p><strong>From Basic to Advanced of Scratch </strong>is a course with three sessions, in which participants will explore strategies for optimizing test parameters, defining critical loads, and utilizing advanced quantitative techniques such as wedge blade testing and coating recovery. This series is designed to enhance your ability to accurately assess and interpret scratch test data, providing insights that are directly applicable to a wide range of material testing scenarios.</p><h3><strong>February 4, 2025: Scratch Measurement Optimization</strong></h3><p style="margin:7.5pt 0in .0001pt;">Explore how to fine-tune scratch test parameters for your specific needs. This session covers defining critical loads, understanding indenter geometries, and optimizing test settings to focus on the most relevant aspects of scratch testing for your work. Whether you're assessing coatings or material durability, this webinar will equip you with practical strategies to enhance the accuracy and relevance of your scratch tests.<br><br>By the end of this webinar, attendees will be equipped with with a deeper understanding of how to define and apply critical loads for various materials, select the most appropriate indenter geometries, and optimize key test parameters for enhanced performance. You’ll leave with actionable techniques to tailor scratch testing to your specific applications, ensuring more precise, reliable, and relevant results in your material characterization efforts.</p><div><div><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote></div></div>

Scratch Measurement Optimization

Explore how to fine-tune scratch test parameters for your specific needs. 

Scratch Series: Scratch Measurement Optimization

<p><strong>From Basic to Advanced of Scratch </strong>is a course with three sessions, in which participants will explore strategies for optimizing test parameters, defining critical loads, and utilizing advanced quantitative techniques such as wedge blade testing and coating recovery. This series is designed to enhance your ability to accurately assess and interpret scratch test data, providing insights that are directly applicable to a wide range of material testing scenarios.</p><h3><strong>February 18, 2025: Advanced Scratch Techniques</strong></h3><p>In this webinar of our Scratch Series, we introduce advanced quantitative techniques to deepen your understanding of material behavior under scratch testing. You'll explore methods like wedge blade testing to assess material response, investigate coating recovery after scratches, and analyze projected cone area for detailed insights into surface interactions. These advanced techniques will provide you with a more comprehensive view of material performance, helping you make more informed decisions in your testing and analysis.</p><p>By the end of this webinar, attendees will be equipped with advanced techniques such as wedge blade testing, coating recovery analysis, and projected cone area measurements, allowing for a more detailed and nuanced evaluation of material behavior in scratch testing.</p><div><div><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote></div></div>

Advanced Scratch Techniques

In this webinar of our Scratch Series, we introduce advanced quantitative techniques to deepen your understanding of material behavior under scratch testing.

Scratch Series: Advanced Scratch Techniques

<p><strong>Production of animal food is just as complex, costly and time-consuming as producing food for human consumption as the demand for safe, high-quality and nutritious animal foods has grown. Extrusion is the most widely used process for R&amp;D, formulation development and production of new animal foods.</strong></p><p>This webinar will introduce both single and twin-screw extrusion techniques for lab-scale animal food production. Additionally, ensuring consistent quality over the different production stages can be accomplished by controlling critical physio-chemical parameters of food ingredients such as moisture, refractive index, viscosity, density, oxidation stability and shelf-life.&nbsp;</p><div><div><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Helga Gschwind</p><p>Helga Gschwind is a Market Development Manager with Anton Paar USA focused on developing new markets for analytical, process and quality control instrumentation within the food industry. She received her engineering degree in food science from the National University of Lujan, Argentina and has worked for over 20 years in the food and beverage industry in quality, production, and engineering areas.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong>Debomitra Dey</p><p>Debomitra Dey is an Advanced Application Scientist with Anton Paar Inc., USA. Specializing in extrusion processing applications for snacks, meat analogs, and pet food, she loves diving into the creative challenges of her work. With a background spanning industry and academia, Debomitra thrives on collaboration, working closely with partners to innovate and excel. Before joining Anton Paar, she worked as a Food Extrusion Specialist with CW Brabender Instruments, Inc. NJ. She earned her Ph.D. in Food Science from Washington State University.</p></blockquote></div></div>

Anton Paar: Optimizing Animal Feed Production: Mixing, Extrusion, Texture, and Tribology

Optimizing Animal Feed Production: Mixing, Extrusion, Texture, and Tribology

This webinar will introduce both single and twin-screw extrusion techniques for lab-scale animal food production. 

Animal Feed: Mixing, Extrusion, Texture, Tribology

<p><strong>Beyond the Surface Add on Module 3 - Indentation and Scratch Applications</strong></p><p><strong>Gain Industry-specific application knowledge</strong> by exploring the diverse applications of indentation and scratch testing techniques across various industries. This four-part series delves into the testing of battery materials, focusing on mechanical properties that enhance durability and efficiency, and the evaluation of medical materials and devices, with a special emphasis on soft materials like stent coatings and contact lenses. Additionally, it covers the performance testing of automotive and aerospace components, highlighting functional coatings such as TiN and the mar resistance of paints. The series also investigates soft materials, including paints, soft polymers, and bio-materials, providing deeper insights through advanced instrumented characterization techniques.</p><h3><strong>March 4, 2025:&nbsp;Battery Materials</strong></h3><p style="margin:7.5pt 0in .0001pt;">This webinar highlights the critical role of mechanical property testing in evaluating the performance and reliability of battery materials, offering real-world examples from various stages of the manufacturing process. Key topics include the durability of electrode coatings, a crucial factor for long-term battery performance, the analysis of particle fracture to ensure structural integrity, and the evaluation of surface property variation, which can impact battery efficiency.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:7.5pt 0in .0001pt;">By the end of this webinar, participants will understand how mechanical testing can optimize battery materials and improve overall product quality.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote>

Anton Paar: Beyond the Surface Add on Module 3 - Indentation and Scratch Applications: Gain Industry-specific application knowledge

Battery Materials

This webinar highlights the critical role of mechanical property testing in evaluating the performance and reliability of battery materials.

Indentation and Scratch Applications: Battery Materials

<p><strong>Beyond the Surface Add on Module 3 - Indentation and Scratch Applications</strong></p><p><strong>Gain Industry-specific application knowledge</strong> by exploring the diverse applications of indentation and scratch testing techniques across various industries. This four-part series delves into the testing of battery materials, focusing on mechanical properties that enhance durability and efficiency, and the evaluation of medical materials and devices, with a special emphasis on soft materials like stent coatings and contact lenses. Additionally, it covers the performance testing of automotive and aerospace components, highlighting functional coatings such as TiN and the mar resistance of paints. The series also investigates soft materials, including paints, soft polymers, and bio-materials, providing deeper insights through advanced instrumented characterization techniques.</p><h3 style="margin-left:0in;"><strong>April 1, 2025: Automotive and aerospace</strong></h3><p>This webinar focuses on the critical testing of automotive and aerospace components, with an emphasis on evaluating the performance of functional coatings used in these industries. Participants will explore the mechanical behavior of hard protective coatings such as TiN, the mar resistance of paints, and the adhesion of optical coatings critical for both durability and performance. Additionally, we will cover high-temperature testing, essential for ensuring the reliability of materials in extreme environments.&nbsp;</p><p>By the end of this webinar, attendees will have a comprehensive understanding of the testing methods used to validate the performance of coatings in automotive and aerospace applications.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote>

Automotive and aerospace

This webinar focuses on the critical testing of automotive and aerospace components, with an emphasis on evaluating the performance of functional coatings.

Indentation and Scratch: Automotive and aerospace

<p><strong>Beyond the Surface Add on Module 3 - Indentation and Scratch Applications</strong></p><p><strong>Gain Industry-specific application knowledge</strong> by exploring the diverse applications of indentation and scratch testing techniques across various industries. This four-part series delves into the testing of battery materials, focusing on mechanical properties that enhance durability and efficiency, and the evaluation of medical materials and devices, with a special emphasis on soft materials like stent coatings and contact lenses. Additionally, it covers the performance testing of automotive and aerospace components, highlighting functional coatings such as TiN and the mar resistance of paints. The series also investigates soft materials, including paints, soft polymers, and bio-materials, providing deeper insights through advanced instrumented characterization techniques.</p><h3 style="margin-left:0in;"><strong>April 15, 2025: Soft Materials</strong></h3><p>This module delves into the unique challenges of testing soft materials and explores how instrumented characterization techniques provide deeper insights into their mechanical behavior. Topics include the analysis of paints and varnishes for their flexibility and durability, the testing of soft polymers used in a variety of industries, and the evaluation of bio-materials, which play a crucial role in medical and biological applications.&nbsp;</p><p>By the end of this webinar, participants will understand how advanced testing methods can accurately assess the properties of soft materials, enabling improved performance and reliability.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:</strong> Mark R Haase</p><p>Mark R Haase is an Advanced Application Scientist at Anton Paar, and has been with the company for six years. They work with many material characterization techniques, including scratch, indentation, tribology, particle sizing, gas sorption, atomic force microscopy, and rheology. Mark supports the use of these techniques in research and industry with training and method development. Prior to joining Anton Paar, Mark's studies included nanocarbon materials and green energy systems.</p></blockquote>

Soft Materials

The challenges of testing soft materials and explores how instrumented characterization techniques provide deeper insights into their mechanical behavior.

Indentation and Scratch: Soft Materials

<p><strong>Sensory Analysis panels are a critical step in food development, manufacturing and quality control, however they tend to be costly and may be inconsistent from panel to panel because of the subjective nature of the analysis. An alternative, quantitative approach to food analysis is tribological characterization, particularly for products where subtle changes in texture significantly affect product acceptance.</strong></p><p>This webinar will describe the principle of tribology, how it is measured and how to provides a valuable standardization tool for the food development and manufacturing process.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong> Abhi Shetty</p><p>Dr. Abhishek Shetty is a Lead Scientist working at the Advanced Technical center at Anton Paar USA. Dr. Shetty received his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Karnataka and MS and PhD from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. &nbsp;Dr. Shetty has over 15 years of working experience in academia, CPG and Advanced instrumentation space. He is a named inventor on 2 US patents, has published several peer-reviewed scientific journal articles which have garnered hundreds of citations and also has presented at several scientific technical conferences. &nbsp;As the Lead Scientist at Anton Paar, his responsibilities are to develop next generation materials characterization methods relevant to Anton Paar’s rheology portfolio. Dr. Shetty's work with teams spans across the globe to develop new advanced applications using advanced rheometric tools. His work has been featured in prestigious journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Science Advances, Physical Review Letters (PRL), Journal of Rheology (JOR) etc.</p><p><strong>Presenter:&nbsp;</strong> Helga Gschwind</p><p>Helga Gschwind is a Market Development Manager with Anton Paar USA focused on developing new markets for analytical, process and quality control instrumentation within the food industry. She received her engineering degree in food science from the National University of Lujan, Argentina and has worked for over 20 years in the food and beverage industry in quality, production, and engineering areas.</p></blockquote>

Anton Paar: Quantifying Mouthfeel – Tribology and it’s Applications in Food Analysis

Quantifying Mouthfeel – Tribology and it’s Applications in Food Analysis

The principle of tribology, how it is measured and how it provides a valuable standardization tool for the food development and manufacturing process

Tribology and it’s Applications in Food Analysis

<p><strong>The rheological properties of polymers are significantly influenced by humidity, impacting their mechanical behavior and processability.</strong></p><p>This webinar examines the effect of humidity on the viscoelastic and flow characteristics of diverse polymer systems. It details how moisture absorption alters polymer structure, resulting in variations in viscosity, storage and loss moduli, and relaxation dynamics. The session highlights experimental techniques for assessing humidity-induced rheological changes, including dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and oscillatory rheometry under controlled humidity conditions.</p><p>In addition, practical applications will be discussed, emphasizing the role of humidity in polymer-based coatings, adhesives, and 3D printing filaments. The findings aim to contribute to improved material formulation, enhanced quality control, and optimized performance in various industrial sectors.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Presenter: </strong>Naimul Hoque, PhD</p><p>Mohammed Naimul Hoque is an Advanced Application Engineer – Rheology at Anton Paar USA, specializing in the rheological characterization of complex fluids and colloids. His work involves customer sample testing, collaborating with academic and industrial clients, and providing training on rheological instruments and techniques.</p><p>Prior to joining Anton Paar, Naimul earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University, where his research focused on modeling the flow behavior of colloidal dispersions and predicting their extrusion behavior using extensional rheological techniques, such as dripping-onto-substrate (DoS) rheometry.</p></blockquote>

Anton Paar: Effect of Humidity on Rheology of Polymers

Effect of Humidity on Rheology of Polymers

This webinar examines the effect of humidity on the viscoelastic and flow characteristics of diverse polymer systems.

<header><h4><strong>Discover Basic Principles and Practical Applications</strong></h4></header><main><div><div><h5><strong>Program</strong></h5><ul><li>Introduction to viscoelasticity</li><li>Principles of dynamic mechanical analysis</li><li>DMA measurement options</li><li>How DMA is used in different industries</li><li>Real-life analysis examples</li><li>Interactive Q&amp;A session</li></ul></div></div><div><div><div><p>Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is a well-established technique for characterizing the mechanical properties of many different materials. These include plastics, adhesives, composites, rubber, coatings, films, and fibers. It is an excellent technique for determining effects such as the glass transition, curing, modulus, damping, viscoelasticity, and vulcanization.</p><h4><strong>What Type of Information Can We Get From DMA?</strong></h4><p>DMA provides quantitative and qualitative information on:</p><ul><li>Young’s modulus and shear modulus values</li><li>Damping characteristics and viscoelastic behavior</li><li>Polymer structure and morphology</li><li>Flow and relaxation behavior</li></ul><p>This type of information is very important for the research and development of new materials, as well as for quality control and failure analysis.</p><p>Are you ready to deepen your understanding of DMA and expand your thermal analysis knowledge? &nbsp;Join our upcoming webinar to learn more about DMA and explore real-life applications in a range of industries.</p><p>Register now to secure your spot, and be sure to prepare your questions for our experts!</p></div><div><div data-advanced-option="false" data-has-preview-image="false" data-video-id="" data-component-id="2110920040"><div style="max-width:1px;width:100%;" id="mediaContainerWrapper_2110920040"><div style="height:1px;width:1px;" data-external-url="" id="mediaContainer_2110920040" data-advanced-option="false" data-width="1" data-height="1" data-video-id="">&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div></main><div><div><div data-advanced-option="false" data-has-preview-image="false" data-video-id="" data-component-id="2110920040"><blockquote><div><strong>Presenter: </strong>Angela Hammer (Dr. sc. nat. ETH)</div><p>Dr. Angela Hammer received a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (development of immobilized components for the use in ion-selective electrodes based on polyurethane membranes) from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Switzerland. She then joined Sika Technology AG in Zurich, Switzerland, as an analytical chemist. In 2007, she joined METTLER TOLEDO and has worked there since as an application specialist for Thermal Analysis. In her present position, she uses, teaches, and supports DSC, TGA, TMA, and DMA instruments for the METTLER TOLEDO’s Materials Characterization Group located at the head office in Switzerland.</p></blockquote></div></div></div>

Mettler Toledo: Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

Join this webinar to understand DMA principles, viscoelastic behavior, and practical applications for material testing across industries.

ICPMS webinars focusing on Mechanical testing - page 1