<p><strong>The life of a scientist isn’t just about wearing a white lab coat; it’s also about international internships, endless reading of articles, and searching for answers to questions no one has asked before. Veronika Leová initially had no idea what working in research entailed. Today, as a doctoral student at the CXI TUL institute in Liberec, she captures invisible radicals and seeks solutions to remove contaminants from water. How can you balance doctoral studies with playing in an orchestra, and why should every curious student try their hand at research?</strong></p><h5><strong>How would you introduce yourself and your work to someone who has never heard of CXI TUL?</strong></h5><p>I am a doctoral student at the Faculty of Mechatronics and also work in the Department of Environmental Chemistry at the CXI TUL Institute, where we mainly focus on water treatment and monitoring, as well as removing pollution from the environment. Our institute uniquely combines mechanical engineering, software engineering, nanomaterials, and chemistry.</p><h5><strong>So, for example, do you also deal with removing residual pharmaceuticals from water?</strong></h5><p>Yes, that is one of the topics of the project I am currently in charge of. Pharmaceuticals in water are a major topic in science today.</p><h5><strong>If you had to explain the nature of your work to a layperson, what would that look like?</strong></h5><p>People always picture us in the lab, but a lot of time is spent working on the computer. We have to stay up to date on what research has already been done around the world. We then have to interpret the measured results and write scientific articles about them. The job also includes administrative tasks, ordering chemicals, and communicating with other scientists. I’ve also helped organize events and even given lectures. So a researcher’s job is very diverse.</p><h5><strong>Do you remember the moment when you first decided you wanted to pursue a career in research?</strong></h5><p>Even in high school, I was particularly interested in the natural sciences. When someone asked me what I wanted to be, I’d joke that I wanted to be a “crazy scientist,” even though I had no idea what working in science actually entailed. During my bachelor’s program, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, and I began to discover what working in science entailed, but by the time I started my master’s, I had already subconsciously decided that I would stay in research.</p><h5><strong>Was it a clear choice for you to go to CXI TUL, or did you have to choose?</strong></h5><p>I was studying at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague and was very hesitant about whether to stay there. But my husband and I moved to Liberec, and commuting would have been very difficult. I wanted to stay in academia, so I looked into opportunities at the Technical University, and Associate Professor Waclawek’s group interested me the most. So CXI TUL was the logical choice.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CXI_TUL_Rozhovor_s_Veronikou_Leovou_Od_blazniveho_vedatora_k_odbornemu_vyzkumu_2_cdcb8d388a.jpg" alt="CXI TUL: Interview with Veronika Leová: From „Crazy Scientist“ to Professional Research" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CXI_TUL_Rozhovor_s_Veronikou_Leovou_Od_blazniveho_vedatora_k_odbornemu_vyzkumu_2_cdcb8d388a.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="683"></p><h5><strong>What was the hardest part about starting your research work in Liberec?</strong></h5><p>The transition to a new topic. You have to learn everything all over again, and you don’t see tangible results for a long time. I felt unproductive when I was “just” reading articles and learning. It was hard to accept that this is a normal phase and that it takes time to fully get into the research.</p><h5><strong>Was there ever a moment when you weren’t sure whether to continue in science? What motivated you?</strong></h5><p>Yes, during those tough early days. When nothing is working out, you start to doubt yourself. Talking about it with colleagues or my advisor, Standa Waclawek, motivates me. At home, my husband supported me; he had been doing experimental chemistry for longer and explained to me that it’s common for experiments to fail. Sharing experiences with a friend who’s doing her PhD in Norway also helps.</p><h5><strong>What is the most interesting or “wow” moment in your research?</strong></h5><p>In science, just as in life, one should find joy in the little things. For example, we’re currently studying reactions that produce extremely reactive particles—radicals. They’re so fast that the human eye can’t detect them. But we have a new instrument that allows us to observe them. I don’t have much experience with it yet, so it’s quite challenging to set all the parameters correctly. That moment when a signal appears on the display that we weren’t even expecting—that’s the “wow” moment.</p><h5><strong>Can you recall a situation that pushed you the most, or a moment when, on the contrary, something went wrong?</strong></h5><p>Most things don’t work out, but I’ve learned that’s normal. It’s precisely failure that prompts us to investigate why it didn’t work. That leads to more questions we seek answers to, and that’s what moves us forward.</p><h5><strong>Is there such a thing as writer’s block in science? What do you do when you get stuck?</strong></h5><p>I used to get writer’s block occasionally at first, especially when experiments didn’t work out. The upside is that the work is varied. When I get stuck on a creative task, I do routine lab work or administrative tasks. I also jot down inspiration from colleagues and the literature—when I hit a dead end, I pull out that list and try a different direction.</p><h5><strong>Can science be balanced with a normal life, or do you have to sacrifice your hobbies?</strong></h5><p>Definitely. After work, I go running or play in an orchestra. These activities help me relax, and I’m refreshed for work the next day. You can devote all your time to science, but the question is, at what cost? Active rest is usually a necessity.</p><h5><strong>Does research at CXI TUL also take you out into the world?</strong></h5><p>There are plenty of opportunities, and as part of my doctoral studies, I even have a mandatory internship abroad. As part of the internship, I’ve already spent two weeks in Essen, Germany, and I’m probably heading to Vienna this fall.</p><h5><strong>Do you have any funny stories from abroad?</strong></h5><p>A funny experience abroad was our Czech-Polish project. At the first meeting, there were more Polish partners, so it was democratically decided that we would speak Polish. I had to pay close attention to understand the technical discussion.</p><h5><strong>What advice would you give to students considering a career in research?</strong></h5><p>I would advise them to think about whether they enjoy the work they do as part of their bachelor’s or master’s studies. After all, scientific work involves a combination of lab work, data analysis, writing, and research. If they’re unsure, I recommend trying an internship at a company, for example, so they have something to compare it to.</p><h5><strong>Why do you think students should give science a chance?</strong></h5><p>Compared to working in a company, you have a lot of freedom in science. You’re the master of your own time. It requires responsibility, but the flexibility is great. One day I don’t feel like writing, so I go to the lab. The next day, it’s the opposite. It’s the ideal mix of manual and creative work.</p><h5><strong>If I wanted to get started as a student at CXI TUL—what are the specific options?</strong></h5><p>The best way is to start by writing your bachelor’s or master’s thesis with us. We usually have openings and are happy to involve students in our current projects. Just don’t be afraid to reach out to a supervisor whose topic interests you.</p>

Interview with Veronika Leová: From „Crazy Scientist“ to Professional Research

<p><strong>Two-in-one — this is one way to describe a new material developed by an international team of scientists including researchers from the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (CEET) and CATRIN at Palacký University. This versatile material, based on iron and carbon atoms, can not only convert plastic waste into useful products, but also reduce the cost of manufacturing important chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The researchers recently published their findings in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis and are now planning to scale up production to a pilot-plant level.</strong></p><p>The scientists set out to help address one of today’s most pressing challenges: plastic recycling. They focused on polystyrene, global production of which exceeds 20 million tonnes annually, while only a negligible fraction – approximately one to three percent – is currently recycled. Existing recycling methods are either inefficient or technologically complex and environmentally unfriendly.</p><p>“<i>Mechanical recycling of polystyrene leads to deterioration in product quality and limits its further applications. Pyrolysis is energy-intensive, requires very high temperatures, and the resulting chemical mixture must be purified through complex processes. That is why we developed an environmentally friendly low-temperature technology which, with the help of oxygen and ammonia, enables the production of benzonitrile. This is a highly valuable chemical used as a key building block in the production of pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and other industrial chemicals,</i>” said <strong>Radek Zbořil</strong>, one of the lead authors of the study affiliated with CEET and CATRIN.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Smart_Material_Enables_Efficient_Plastic_Recycling_and_Low_Cost_Drug_Manufacturing_754bc72c0c.webp" alt="CATRIN: Smart Material Enables Efficient Plastic Recycling and Low-Cost Drug Manufacturing" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Smart_Material_Enables_Efficient_Plastic_Recycling_and_Low_Cost_Drug_Manufacturing_754bc72c0c.webp 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1536" height="768"></p><p>However, converting polystyrene and other organic compounds into nitriles is highly challenging because their chemical bonds are stable and difficult to break. The key to success was therefore the development of an efficient catalyst capable of lowering reaction temperatures while increasing the yield of the target product.</p><p>“<i>The catalyst is based on iron atoms dispersed within a carbon support and stabilized by nitrogen and boron atoms. This specific chemical environment surrounding the atomic iron, together with the porous structure of the support, is essential for achieving efficient low-temperature conversion of polystyrene. The material can be easily produced on a large scale and, once the chemical process is completed, it can be recycled and reused. These factors are crucial for the advancement of industrial processes,</i>” explained <strong>Jagadeesh Rajenahally</strong>, another <strong>corresponding author</strong> affiliated with CEET and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock, Germany.</p><p>The applications of the new catalyst extend far beyond polystyrene. It can also efficiently convert dozens of organic compounds into valuable nitriles used in chemistry and pharmaceuticals, for example in the production of antidepressants and diabetes medications. Its versatility, ease of production, lower energy consumption, and the significant cost reduction it offers for many chemical processes are expected to accelerate its adoption in industry. The scientists are therefore planning to scale up production to a pilot operation.</p><p>“<i>The atomic catalyst is remarkably versatile. We successfully used it in the synthesis of around 60 valuable nitrile-based chemicals utilized in pharmaceuticals and industrial chemistry. We operate at significantly lower temperatures than current industrial production methods, and thanks to the controlled reaction pathway, we generate only minimal amounts of waste by-products. In a flow reactor, we demonstrated the material’s stability over many days during polystyrene conversion, which are very promising results for transferring the technology into practical applications,</i>” Zbořil concluded.</p><blockquote><h4><strong>The original article</strong></h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-026-01513-y#Sec9"><strong>Iron-based single-atom catalysts for selective ammoxidation of C(sp3)–H bonds and oxidative C–C cleavage reactions</strong></a></h4><p>Zhuang Ma (马壮), Nils Rockstroh, Zupeng Chen (陈祖鹏), Vishakha Goyal, Chakreshwara Kuloor, Stephan Bartling, Zdeněk Baďura, Jabor Rabeah, Lin Dong (董琳), Henrik Lund, Bing Nan (南兵), Radek Zbořil, Rajenahally V. Jagadeesh &amp; Matthias Beller</p><p>Nat Catal 9, 389–403 (2026)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01513-y">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01513-y</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><p><strong>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.</strong></p><div><h4><strong>Abstract</strong></h4><p>Ammoxidation of methylarenes using ammonia and air is the main method for the synthesis of aromatic nitriles in the chemical industry. Despite significant efforts in industry and academia, no general and selective catalyst based on less toxic and earth-abundant metals has been developed for this reaction. Here we report a single-atom iron-based material (Fe@BNC-800-L1) with Fe–N<sub>5</sub>–B<i><sub>x</sub></i> configuration as an efficient <i>sp</i><sup>3</sup>-hybridized C–H- and C–C bond oxidation catalyst. Due to the presence of Fe<sup>3+</sup>, B and N species, which are co-embedded in the micro-mesoporous carbon matrix, these materials show excellent activity for ammoxidation of methyl-substituted (hetero)arenes. Furthermore, highly selective C–C bond cleavage reactions of alkylarenes are presented, which complement the toolbox for nitrile synthesis. The generality of this presented Fe-based ammoxidation methodology is showcased by the straightforward and selective synthesis of &gt;60 functionalized and structurally diverse nitriles, which are important precursors and key intermediates in organic synthesis with many applications in life sciences and industry.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_Graphical_abstract_85dcee4b26.webp" alt="Nat Catal 9, 389–403 (2026): Graphical abstract" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_Graphical_abstract_85dcee4b26.webp 227w," sizes="100vw" width="685" height="471"></p><h4><strong>Methods</strong></h4><h5><strong>General procedure for the synthesis of nitriles from methyl and alkyl (hetero) arenes</strong></h5><p>Unless otherwise stated catalytic reactions of all substrates were performed with following procedure: a magnetic stirring bar, 0.5 mmol methylarene or alkylarene or lignin model compound and 50 mg Fe@BNC-800-L1 (2.46 mol% Fe) were transferred to an 8 ml glass vial. Next, 3 ml deionized water and 100 μl NH<sub>3</sub>(aq. 28–30%) were added and the vial was fitted with a septum, cap and needle. The reaction vials (8 vials each containing different substrates) were placed into a 300 ml autoclave. The autoclave was flushed with nitrogen (10 bar) twice and molecular oxygen (5 bar) twice and then it was pressurized with 5 bar oxygen. The autoclave was placed into an aluminium block preheated at 150 °C and the reactions were stirred for the required time. After the completion of the reactions, the autoclave was cooled to room temperature. The remaining oxygen was discharged and the vials containing the reaction products were removed from the autoclave. The solid catalyst was filtered off and washed thoroughly with ethyl acetate. Products in the filtrate were extracted with ethyl acetate and analysed using GC and GC-MS. The corresponding nitriles were purified by column chromatography. For selected products, yields were determined by GC. For GC analysis, the filtrate containing the products was extracted with ethyl acetate. To this ethyl acetate solution containing products, <i>n</i>-hexadecane (0.5 mmol) as a standard was added and then the products were analysed using GC. To confirm experimental reproducibility, all catalytic reactions including benchmark reactions and substrate scope evaluations, were performed at least two to three times to ensure reproducibility. The yields and selectivity data reported in the manuscript represent the average of these independent experiments. For example, the ammoxidation of 4-methylanisole (benchmark reaction) yielded 75 ± 3% in three independent experiments. Undoubtedly, safety aspects are of high importance in ammoxidations involving ammonia and oxygen in the reaction system. All catalytic reactions were carried out in a Parr autoclave equipped with an explosion-proof device and the autoclave was placed in a well-ventilated fume hood to conduct the reactions. After the reaction was completed, the autoclave was carefully removed and placed in an ice bath to cool down, and then the gases were slowly released. Further details of the procedure are provided in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-026-01513-y#MOESM1">Supplementary Information</a>.</p><p>Due to low the boiling points of substrates <strong>5</strong>, <strong>9</strong>, <strong>13</strong>, <strong>28</strong>, <strong>29</strong>, <strong>30</strong>, <strong>44</strong> and <strong>62</strong>, their catalytic reactions were performed individually in a glass-fitted 25 ml autoclave. The experimental procedure for these reactions is as follows: a magnetic stirring bar, 0.5 mmol methylarene or alkylarene and 50 mg Fe@BNC-800-L1 (2.46 mol% Fe) were transferred to a 25 ml autoclave (run one sample at a time). Next, 5 ml deionized water and 100 µl NH<sub>3</sub>(aq. 28–30%) were added. The autoclave was sealed and flushed with nitrogen (10 bar) twice and molecular oxygen (5 bar) twice and then it was pressurized with 5 bar oxygen. The autoclave was placed into an aluminium block preheated at 150 °C and the reactions were stirred for the required time. After the completion of the reactions, the autoclave was cooled to room temperature. The remaining oxygen was discharged and reaction products were removed from the autoclave. The solid catalyst was filtered off and washed thoroughly with ethyl acetate. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate and <i>n</i>-hexadecane as a standard was added. Finally, the products were analysed using GC and GC-MS. The corresponding nitriles were purified by column chromatography. For selected products, yields were determined by GC using the same procedure (see above).</p></div>

Smart Material Enables Efficient Plastic Recycling and Low-Cost Drug Manufacturing

<div><div><div><p><strong>The IOCB Foundation is the new name of the established IOCB Tech Foundation, which was founded by IOCB Tech, a company focused on translating scientific knowledge into practical applications. The foundation’s new name and brand reflect a closer connection with IOCB Prague, from which IOCB Tech emerged. The foundation is thus embarking on a new phase in which it aims to become a key philanthropic player in the field of technology transfer in the Czech Republic.</strong></p></div></div><div><p>The foundation was <strong>established in 2022</strong> to support the development of science, the practical application of scientific knowledge, and the popularization of science, using revenues from its parent company, IOCB Tech. Over the four years of its existence, it has supported dozens of scientific and educational institutions, projects, initiatives, and individual scientists, distributing approximately <strong>EUR 3.5 million</strong> among them.</p><p>The foundation will continue its mission under its new name. However, it will focus even more on supporting the transfer of knowledge into practical applications and will expand its own fundraising activities, with the goal of securing additional funding for new projects.</p></div><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_2_72531f83bf.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: The IOCB Tech Foundation is rebranding as the IOCB Foundation and embarking on a new, ambitious chapter: Milan Prášil, IOCB Tech Director." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_2_72531f83bf.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="1001"></p><p><i>“We are pleased to have helped launch the foundation and to have supported meaningful projects worth several million euros during its initial phase. Now comes a phase that is naturally close to our hearts at IOCB Tech: we want to focus even more on supporting technology transfer while also opening the foundation to new partnerships with other donors. We believe that combining expertise in technology transfer, a strong scientific background, and philanthropy will help turn scientists’ good ideas into useful results more quickly,” </i>says<strong> IOCB Tech Director Milan Prášil</strong>.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_3_2819bc548c.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Vladimír Šigut: The IOCB Tech Foundation is rebranding as the IOCB Foundation and embarking on a new, ambitious chapter: Linda Štucbartová, Chair of the IOCB Foundation Board." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_3_2819bc548c.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1800" height="1350"></p><div><div><div><div><p><i>“Ambitious startups based on cutting-edge research are emerging in the Czech Republic, though often in spite of various obstacles. In this regard, Czech science has not yet fully realized its potential, and that is precisely what the<strong> </strong></i><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://iocbfoundation.cz/en/"><i><strong>IOCB Foundation</strong></i></a><i><strong> </strong>aims to change. We want to systematically support the development of the entire technology transfer field, including by strengthening ties with the business community and expanding funding opportunities,” </i>adds<strong> Linda Štucbartová, Chair of the Foundation’s Board</strong>, outlining the Foundation’s new goals, and continues:</p><p><i>“We need to create an environment in which scientists, startup founders, and investors can be confident that cutting-edge research in the Czech Republic has a real chance of growing into globally successful technology companies. What matters is transforming the entire ecosystem and securing stronger involvement from the private sector. This will determine whether we merely adopt innovations or create them ourselves and export them to the world.”</i></p><p>The Foundation will also collaborate more closely with IOCB Prague. As the Foundation’s new institutional patron, IOCB Prague will provide expert support in the areas of scientific development and raising public awareness of the importance of scientific knowledge for society.</p></div></div></div><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_4_1635b21b22.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: The IOCB Tech Foundation is rebranding as the IOCB Foundation and embarking on a new, ambitious chapter: Prof. Jan Konvalinka, Director of IOCB Prague." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nadacni_fond_IOCB_Tech_se_meni_na_IOCB_Foundation_a_zahajuje_novou_ambiciozni_etapu_sve_existence_4_1635b21b22.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1305" height="870"></p><p><i>“The IOCB Foundation has set itself a new ambition: to support technology transfer in a more systematic way. However, this is not possible without high-quality science, good conditions for research work, and public trust in the benefits of scientific knowledge. As its patron, IOCB Prague will therefore provide long-term, strategic support to the Foundation in fulfilling this vision, as it sees these goals as an integral part of the mission of a modern research institution,”</i> says Prof. Jan Konvalinka, <strong>Director of the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry</strong>.</p><blockquote><h5><strong>Webové stránky&nbsp;</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://iocbfoundation.cz/"><strong>IOCB Foundation</strong></a></h5></blockquote></div></div>

The IOCB Tech Foundation is rebranding as the IOCB Foundation and embarking on a new, ambitious chapter

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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

The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University is a cutting-edge scientific hub dedicated to advancing research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine. At its core, CATRIN boasts outstanding scientific teams, featuring international researchers. We emphasize interdisciplinarity, foster global collaborations, and work to translate our research findings into practical applications.

CATRIN

The Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations of the Technical University of Liberec, also known as CXI TUL, was founded in 2009. Our mission is to support TUL's long-term vision of collaboration with industry and innovation.

CXI TUL

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