Nanotechnology Info & Statistics’ Post

Chiba University Researchers Pioneer Dendron-Enhanced Chlorophyll Assemblies for Next-Gen Light-Harvesting Materials Chlorophyll (a naturally occurring pigment involved in photosynthesis)-inspired molecules hold promise for developing next-generation light-harvesting materials. However, achieving precise control over their assembly is challenging. Researchers have now revealed that attaching dendrons—branched, tree-like structures—can aid in self-assembly of chlorophyll’s materials. They found that smaller dendrons lead to stacked, fibre-like structures, while larger dendrons create spherical […]

PhD applications are open for a competitively funded PhD by the Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral training partnership titled 'Exploring enzyme-mediated degradation of plant biomass by in situ imaging for biosecurity'. Deadline is the 6th January. The project involves mass spectrometry imaging of plant matter degraded by LPMO enzymes. It is joint between Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Leeds collaborating with Glyn Hemsworth and Neil Bricklebank. https://lnkd.in/eKWjyXbc

🔬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐥𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 🔬 A pioneering study published in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 reveals how glycerol prevents ice formation at ultra-low temperatures, offering new insights into #cryopreservation. Led by researchers from Stockholm University and global collaborators, the study shows that glycerol stabilizes water by disrupting its hydrogen bond network, preventing ice crystal formation and protecting cells from damage. 💧 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ✔️ Glycerol alters water's behavior, suppressing density fluctuations. ✔️It shifts the "Widom line" to colder temperatures, further preventing ice formation. This discovery could revolutionize cryopreservation techniques in medicine, food preservation, and materials science. Read the full article to learn more about this exciting discovery and its impact on cryopreservation: https://lnkd.in/eJCnKQif #Glycerol #CellPreservation #Biotechnology #Biobank #Biobanking #WaterScience #Molecular #MedicalResearch #ColdStorage #Cryoprotection

I am happy to share my second research paper from my PhD thesis as the main author titled " Lanthanum nanoparticle (La2O3)–loaded adsorbents for removal of hexavalent chromium: a kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamic study" published in 2023 in a reputed International Journal "Environmental Science and Pollution Research". This paper focused on the gaining popularity of nanoparticles to remove pollutants. Nanoparticle-loaded adsorbents emerged as a better and more promising solution for the efficient removal of pollutants including organic, inorganic, and metals than conventional methods. Hexavalent chromium was removed by the adsorption process using nanoparticles-loaded adsorbents and was found considered for the removal of other metals also. Link for the paper: https://lnkd.in/gu8RnS5b #Adsorption## Nanoparticles# Chromium# Adsorbents# Wastewater treatment# Research# Nanoscience# EnvironmentalScience##

A class of chemical reaction found only in biology, electron bifurcation channels two electrons from one donor to two separate acceptors, with one electron elevated in energy at the expense of lowering the energy of the second. Researchers used the ALS to study this process in a microbial protein involved in this bioenergetic pathway. https://lnkd.in/ggfgBHwd

📢 NEW PAPER ALERT! 📢 New review paper out by Brecht De Paepe & Marjan De Mey in ACS Synthetic Biology, discussing 'Biological Switches: Past and Future Milestones of Transcription Factor-Based Biosensors'. With the end of the year in sight, this review gives a perfect overview of key biosensor milestones but also future perspectives and remaining hurdles. So lots of research opportunities for 2025! Read the paper here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eRd4TvTV #biosensors #synbio #biologicalswitches #transcriptionfactors Faculty of Bioscience Engineering UGent

Photosynthesis: The foundation of life and innovation 🌿 Photosynthesis, the process that fuels life on Earth, is not just essential for producing food and oxygen—it also holds the key to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and sustainable energy innovations. At the forefront of photosynthesis research, Arizona State University scientists are unraveling mysteries about how light is converted into chemical energy through photosynthetic reaction centers. These protein complexes have evolved for over 3 billion years, enabling the development of life as we know it. 🔬 Recently, ASU’s Kevin Redding and Raimund Fromme unveiled the X-ray structure of the heliobacterium reaction center, providing new insights into how electrons move within these ancient bacterial systems. Their work, supported by computational modeling led by Dmitry Matyushov and Abhishek Singharoy, has revealed that menaquinone, not the iron-sulfur cofactor, is the preferred electron acceptor in this system. This discovery deepens our understanding of charge separation across biological membranes—the fundamental process driving biological energy. The research also sheds light on how reaction centers act as molecular diodes, ensuring unidirectional electron flow and paves the way for advances in both biological and artificial energy systems. 🌍 ASU researchers continue to push the boundaries of photosynthesis science, combining theoretical models, quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations to address longstanding questions and drive innovation. 👉 Explore the cutting-edge work happening at ASU's Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis and join the conversation on the future of energy and sustainability! https://lnkd.in/gbr96_5n #ASUResearch #Photosynthesis #Sustainability #ScientificDiscovery #BiodesignInstitute #EnergyInnovation #QuantumBiology #Biochemistry #MolecularScience #Bioenergy ASU Knowledge Enterprise ASU Biodesign Institute ASU School of Molecular Sciences The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University

Another nice edition of our monthly #HIMSSciHigh overview, including papers in PNAS, Angewandte Chemie and Science. Enjoy! 1. HOW WATER GUIDES THE ASSEMBLY OF COLLAGEN An international research team elucidates the role of water in the molecular self-assembly of collagen by replacing water with its ‘twin molecule’ heavy water. The findings will help understand tissue failures such as brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta). Journal: PNAS Authors: Giulia G., Liru Feng, Kevin Klein, Guido Giannetti, Luco Rutten, Yeji Choi, Anouk van der Net, Gerard Castro-Linares, Federico Caporaletti, Dimitra Micha, Johannes Hunger, Antoine Deblais, Daniel Bonn, Nico Sommerdijk, Andela Šaríc, Ioana M. ILIE, Gijsje Koenderink, and Sander Woutersen. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNRs2fVw   2. EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF BIARYL SCAFFOLDS THROUGH SMART CATALYST DESIGN The Fernández-Ibáñez research group presents an efficient C-H arylation reaction for the direct synthesis of biaryl scaffolds using a Pd/S,O-ligand catalysis system. It provides a route to green, clean and efficient chemical transformations. Journal: Angewandte Chemie Authors: Ke-Zuan Deng, Verena Sukowski, M. Ángeles (Tati) Fernández-Ibáñez Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqx7wAjx   3. STELLAR UV RADIATION PREVENTS FORMATION OF JUPITER-LIKE PLANET An international team of scientists including Dr Annemieke Petrignani of the Astro Chemistry research group show that UV radiation from massive stars can prevent planets from forming. Journal: Science Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRbPUGpG   4. PROMISING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OF PISOX POLYESTERS A paper by the Industrial Sustainable Chemistry group shows the degradation potential of novel fully renewable (bio- and CO2-based) PISOX copolyesters with a broad range of applications. Journal: Environmental Science & Technology Authors: Yue Wang, Kevin van der Maas, Daniel Weinland, PhD, Dio Trijnes, Robert-Jan van Putten, Albert Tietema, John R. Parsons, Eva de Rijke, and Gert-Jan Gruter Read more: https://lnkd.in/evKrKH5m   5. ORIGINS OF THE INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF A CHIMERIC STYRENE MONOOXYGENASE Researchers at the Biocatalysis research group reveal the mechanistic details of the performance of a highly efficient chimeric styrene monooxygenase (SMO) in the asymmetric biocatalytic epoxidation of alkenes.  Journal: ChemBioChem Authors: Tanja Knaus, Peter Macheroux, and Francesco Mutti Read more: https://lnkd.in/e2_zN6Cb   6. PHOTOCATALYTIC FUNCTIONALIZATION OF DEHYDROALANINE-DERIVED PEPTIDES IN BATCH AND FLOW Researchers at the Flow Chemistry research group developed a photocatalytic hydroarylation protocol for functionalising dehydroalanine-derived peptides. It offers an avenue for synthesizing a variety of unnatural amino acids. Journal: Angewandte Chemie Authors: Nikolaos Kaplaneris, Merve Akdeniz, Méritxell Fillols, Francesca Arrighi, Fabian Raymenants, Gana Sanil, Daniel Gryko, Timothy Noel Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHT-FFM6

My PhD thesis has been finally submitted! 💫 It is entitled "Imaging and Analytical Tools to Study the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Protein Export" It will now be available for public review during 20 days, until the defense. Have a look at the following link 👇, and feel free to provide feedback! The key points are: - Addressed key challenges in intracellular trafficking, specifically protein secretion, using advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques (Single particle tracking and STED microscopy) - Quantified fluorescence images to objectively evaluate results in four different projects addressing protein secretion and intracellular trafficking. - Proposed control experiments and parameter descriptors to maximize data quality in Single Particle Tracking. We emphasized labeling strategies, imaging, and data analysis considerations for reliable results. - Applied these methodologies to study protein sorting at the TGN, examining the role of ER-Golgi membrane contact sites (MCS) in TGN-derived carrier biogenesis. Using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, we identified cargo accumulation regions and conducted SPT experiments, revealing confined, slow motion of cargo proteins near MCS.

Researchers synthesize new compounds within living cells using light. Plants harness chlorophyll to capture sunlight and kickstart photosynthesis, a crucial process on our planet that converts luminous energy into chemical fuel while producing oxygen. This pivotal chemical energy is subsequently utilized by plants, algae, and select bacteria to metabolize carbon dioxide and water into sugars. Now, scientists at the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) have achieved a breakthrough by integrating non-native photosensitizers into mammalian cells. This revelation showcases the capability of these substances to also absorb green or blue light, thus instigating artificial chemical reactions within cellular environments. Notably, this innovative approach has been employed for synthesizing indoles, chemical compounds boasting significant biological activities. Such findings underscore the feasibility of leveraging light to fabricate functional molecular products, including fluorescent variants, within biological settings. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), this study marks the pioneering demonstration of forging synthetic chemical bonds within cells through photocatalysis. Photocatalysis emerges as a transformative chemical technology with vast socioeconomic implications. It empowers the utilization of light as an energy source to activate catalysts and instigate chemical transformations, thereby facilitating sustainable synthetic endeavors. "The evidence of employing these synthetic photocatalysis technologies within biological milieus, we believe, heralds a new frontier at the frontier of chemistry and biology,". "Moreover, we anticipate that in the foreseeable future, these technologies will unveil novel strategies for precisely manipulating human cells, thus fostering the development of innovative therapeutic interventions." #livingcell #synthesize #compound #chlorophyll #plant #photosynthesis #sunlight #biological #milieus #photocatalysis