Thanks to a recent study by researchers at IOCB Prague, it is now possible to monitor processes in living cells more effectively than before, including responses to drugs or changes in cellular structures. The researchers have developed a new type of fluorescent labels guaranteeing higher-contrast and clearer images via fluorescence microscopy. The discovery is important for medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, among other areas. The team led by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://vrabel.group.uochb.cz/en">Milan Vrábel</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://slanina.group.uochb.cz/en">Tomáš Slanina</a> of IOCB Prague collaborated on the research with the chemical biology group of Péter Kele from Hungary.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Co_se_deje_v_bunkach_vidime_lip_zasluhou_objevu_z_UOCHB_5c5c71f7c0.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: A new discovery from IOCB Prague makes it easier to see what is happening inside cells: Dr. Veronika Šlachtová, a postdoctoral researcher in Milan Vrábel’s group, and Dr. Milan Vrábel, head of the Chemistry of Bioconjugates research group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Co_se_deje_v_bunkach_vidime_lip_zasluhou_objevu_z_UOCHB_5c5c71f7c0.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2048" height="1367"><div>The newly developed fluorescent labels are visible only when they bind exactly where intended, i.e. to the target molecule. As a result, cells no longer need to be repeatedly washed in solution to remove excess fluorescent dye, which reduces costs. Under current conditions, dyes often bind where they are not needed, complicating observation and rendering the process more expensive. Everything effectively fluoresces, making it very difficult to capture the specific location of interest.The researchers succeeded in creating fluorescent labels that provide a clear picture of cellular processes using fluorogenic triazinium probes. Triazinium salts reliably suppress unwanted fluorescence. A cell labeled with the developed probe therefore does not fluoresce and becomes fluorescent at a selected site only after a specific chemical reaction occurs. In such cases, researchers see only what they actually intend to observe.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Co_se_deje_v_bunkach_vidime_lip_zasluhou_objevu_z_UOCHB_2_a443a4255e.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: A new discovery from IOCB Prague makes it easier to see what is happening inside cells: The picture illustrates the overall fluorescence quenching effect of triazinium salts, which can be turned on through biocompatible reactions." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Co_se_deje_v_bunkach_vidime_lip_zasluhou_objevu_z_UOCHB_2_a443a4255e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1065" height="414"><div>“A significant advantage of the new technology is its versatility,” explains the first author of the study, IOCB Prague postdoctoral researcher Veronika Šlachtová, adding: “Our method works across the visible spectrum, from blue to far red. Thanks to labels of different colors, we can monitor several cellular structures within a single experiment at the same time.” The probes can also be prepared relatively easily, making them potentially suitable for future commercial availability.Fluorescence microscopy is widely used in modern biology, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. The method makes it possible to observe processes inside cells, such as protein movement, drug effects, or changes in cellular structures. The technology is also suitable for studying carbohydrate structures on the cell surface, which play a role in immune responses, infections, and cancer metastasis.“High-quality and reliable fluorescent labeling facilitates everyday work in the laboratory while also providing higher-quality data. In the long term, it may accelerate drug testing or enable more precise monitoring of molecular processes in cells,” says the corresponding author of the study, Dr. Milan Vrábel of IOCB Prague. Thanks to the combination of high sensitivity, ease of preparation, and a broad color spectrum, the new method has the potential to become part of the routine practice of many research laboratories.</div></div>

A new discovery from IOCB Prague makes it easier to see what is happening inside cells

An international team of scientists, including experts from CATRIN at Palacký University, has developed a new type of plasmonic photocatalyst capable of converting biomass into key raw materials for bioplastic production with high efficiency and selectivity using solar energy. The research results, which represent a significant step towards more sustainable chemical manufacturing, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CATRIN_A_new_generation_of_solar_catalyst_converts_biomass_into_raw_materials_for_bioplastics_e4dc54875b.jpg" alt="CATRIN: A new generation of solar catalyst converts biomass into raw materials for bioplastics" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CATRIN_A_new_generation_of_solar_catalyst_converts_biomass_into_raw_materials_for_bioplastics_e4dc54875b.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="1280" height="1280">Biomass—organic material of plant or animal origin—is among the most promising renewable resources for the production of high value-added chemicals and materials. The research focused on the molecule 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is derived from sugars contained in plant biomass and is regarded as one of the key intermediates in modern biorefineries. Through controlled oxidation, HMF can be converted into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a compound that serves as a fundamental building block for biopolymers, such as PEF plastic, an environmentally friendly alternative to the widely used PET.However, current industrial methods for producing this compound are technologically demanding. They often require strongly alkaline conditions, elevated temperatures, or increased pressure. Despite this, they suffer from low selectivity, leading to the formation of unwanted by-products and higher energy consumption. As a result, contemporary research is seeking new approaches that would allow this chemical transformation to be driven by light energy under milder and more environmentally friendly conditions.The newly developed catalyst is based on a combination of nanostructured titanium nitride and extremely small nanoparticles of a ruthenium–platinum alloy. Titanium nitride acts as a material that very efficiently absorbs light, particularly its infrared component, converting it into energy-rich electrons and local heat. These effects subsequently promote the activation of molecular oxygen on the surface of the catalytically active nanoparticles, where the chemical reaction itself takes place.“The key aspect is that the individual components of the catalyst work together in perfect synergy. This allows us to control the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural with great precision and achieve an almost complete conversion to the target product without the use of strong chemical additives or extreme reaction conditions. Compared with existing technologies, the process is significantly more selective, more energy-efficient, and produces substantially less waste,” said one of the corresponding authors of the study, Štěpán Kment from Palacký University.The authors emphasise that this approach enables oxygen activation in a fundamentally different way than conventional catalytic systems. As a result, the reaction can be carried out in an aqueous environment without the addition of alkaline agents, while avoiding non-selective reactions that would otherwise lead to material losses. The outcome is a highly efficient and precisely controlled process suitable for future applications.According to the researchers, this plasmonic catalytic platform represents a previously unexplored concept in the field of biomass conversion. “It opens up new opportunities for future biorefineries that could use solar energy and renewable feedstocks to produce plastics, solvents, and other chemical products with a significantly lower carbon footprint than current industrial technologies,” concluded Kment.The research involved scientists from CATRIN at Palacký University, the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies, and the national supercomputing centre IT4Innovations at VSB–TUO, in collaboration with partners from China, Italy, and the United States.<blockquote><h4>The original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-025-01454-y?fbclid=IwY2xjawOwzklleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBWZE9nUVBUR3ViTWs5ekptc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjMHx-lfljleJ5Hkgyj1B4u4IGXGChlp8YGVMWbdTjlmqC-beTiKrxofdB6H_aem_eS2PaVl3Ja6Hl0xfXYkHyw#Sec7">Near-infrared plasmonic activation of molecular oxygen for selective oxidation of biomass derivatives</a></h4>Manpreet Kaur, Sourav Rej, Jan Navrátil, Eva Yazmin Santiago, Michal Otyepka, Stefano Livraghi, Lorenzo Mino, Štěpán Kment, Zhikang Xu, Haibo Zhu, Paolo Fornasiero, Alexander O. Govorov, Piotr Błoński &amp; Alberto NaldoniNat Catal 8, 1370–1381 (2025)<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01454-y">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01454-y</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote>Selected sections from the article follow. Formats and hyperlinks were adapted from the original.<h4>Abstract</h4>Upgrading biomass feedstock into higher-value chemicals is central to improve the sustainability of the chemical industry and to reduce its dependence on fossil raw materials. Heterogeneous photocatalysts are promising for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a biomass-derived molecular platform for biopolymers, but their FDCA selectivity is negligible without the aid of a base. Here we present a plasmonic photocatalyst integrating TiN nanocubes and bimetallic RuPt nanoparticles that in base-free conditions exhibits complete HMF conversion and selective FDCA formation due to an unconventional mechanism of molecular oxygen activation. This unique reactivity is enhanced by both photothermal heating and hot electrons, whose contribution is confirmed by kinetic isotopic effect experiments. Density functional theory calculations support a scenario in which the activated nanoparticle–oxygen complex facilitates the rate-determining step and enables an improved FDCA selectivity. Our results demonstrate the potential of plasmonic photocatalysts in the catalytic transformation of biomass.

A new generation of solar catalyst converts biomass into raw materials for bioplastics

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Eamonn Clark, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hawaii, &nbsp;Mānoa' and the Water Resources Research Center, as he shares his journey in water research and laboratory innovation.<h4>In this episode:</h4><ul><li>Dr. Clark introduces his work on water treatment and disinfection byproducts, including research following the Red Hill fuel spill in Oahu.</li><li>A behind-the-scenes look at the development of a home-built nitrogen blowdown evaporator—why it was needed, how it was designed, and who can benefit from building their own lab equipment.</li><li>Discussion of workflows for PFAS analysis, the importance of accessible analytical tools, and the impact of DIY solutions in low-resource settings.</li><li>Insights into other homemade lab instruments, the role of 3D printing and PCB design, and the value of community science in water quality monitoring.</li><li>Reflections on the broader impact of water research, community engagement, and the importance of making science accessible to all.</li></ul><h4>Key topics covered:</h4><ul><li>Water Resources Research Center and its mission</li><li>Analytical methods for PFAS and disinfection byproducts</li><li>Step-by-step overview of building a nitrogen evaporator</li><li>Who should consider DIY lab equipment</li><li>The future of homemade scientific tools and citizen science</li><li>Community outreach and the real-world impact of water research</li></ul>Whether you’re a scientist, student, or simply curious about how research labs innovate on a budget, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration for building your own scientific equipment and making a difference in your community.<h3>Video Transcription</h3><h5>Host: Hi, Dr. Clark. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your work at the Water Resources Research Center?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Yeah, David, thanks for having me on. My name is Eamonn Clark. I’m a postdoctoral researcher here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). If you’re not familiar with WRRC, it’s part of a nationwide initiative called the Water Resources Research Initiative run by the USGS. There are centers like this throughout the U.S.—54 total including states and territories. Researchers across these centers work on a wide range of water-related questions: water security, cultural practices, water safety, and water contamination. Our center supports both Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.My research is with Dr. Emily Marin’s group. We focus on water treatment processes and the disinfection byproducts that can form as a result of chemical treatment. More specifically, my recent focus is on disinfection byproducts that can form when drinking water sources are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons—an issue that arose following the Red Hill fuel spill a few years ago. A Navy underground fuel storage tank leaked jet fuel into Oʻahu’s aquifer and contaminated the drinking water supply for roughly 96,000 people living around Pearl Harbor.<h5>Host: Wow, that’s terrible. I wasn’t familiar with that disaster.</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Yeah. In terms of what we work on, the initial screening was understandably, “There’s fuel in the water—we have to see the fuel.” We came in afterward and said, “Wait a minute—there are also potential transformation products. We need to see the transformation products, and we need to see the disinfection byproducts.” To our knowledge, nobody had really looked at the DBPs of fuel specifically. It’s been a really interesting line of research, and we’re hoping to have some manuscripts submitted before the end of the year.<h5>Host: That’s great to hear. You mentioned that you occasionally need to use a nitrogen evaporator in your research. What does that workflow look like? Is it connected to an LC–MS?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Yeah, it is. We’re trying to be as broadly analytical as we can. Part of my work is learning non-targeted LC–MS analysis, which is new for me—great for a postdoc to pick up new techniques. Our non-targeted workflow involves solid-phase extraction and then nitrogen blowdown to concentrate the sample further before injecting it on our LC–MS and doing data-dependent MS/MS on an Orbitrap.<h5>Host: That tracks with what I’ve seen—evaporators like this are sometimes used for GC–MS work too, but LC–MS is common. You were previously at the University of Utah, and I was curious what inspired you to develop the homebuilt nitrogen evaporator. It sounded like colleagues asked you to build one for them as well.</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Yeah—let me tell the whole story. When I was at the University of Utah, I was a PhD student in Mark Porter’s group. Toward the end of my time there, we started a PFAS analysis project. We were developing a novel sensing methodology, and we knew we’d need to compare it to a standard method. We were looking at drinking water, and EPA Method 537.1 is pretty much the standard—though you could also choose 533 or 1633. We picked 537.1.Part of my job was to set up the lab’s capacity to run that method. I ordered all the parts for SPE—an SPE manifold and consumables can be expensive. Then we realized we also needed blowdown. We looked at commercial systems and said, “We don’t have the budget.”In the past I’d done some sample prep that called for blowdown, and I’d rigged a simple setup using a ring stand, a few three-finger clamps, and Pasteur pipettes in a hood, hooked up to a nitrogen line. That worked for a few samples. But for PFAS and LC–MS, we needed method blanks, instrument blanks, and reagent blanks—and we knew our throughput would increase. We needed a way to do more samples in parallel, but we didn’t have the money for a commercial evaporator.So we said, “We have a collaborator in mechanical engineering with a laser cutter, and we have a water bath—let’s figure it out.” That’s how the project started. Once we were assembling it, collaborators stopped by and we mentioned we were building a blowdown evaporator because we didn’t have one. They said, “Can you make us one too? We need one for another project.”Once ours was working, they bought the parts and I helped them build one for their lab. That gave us an opportunity to refine the design, identify a couple of sticking points, and ultimately document three different geometries for different sample tube formats. One of those designs—used for glass tubes—needed a special geometry because the tubes were different, and that version supported their work. We realized other folks might find this useful, so we wrote a paper. That’s how the technical note was born.<h5>Host: Very cool. In terms of assembly, would you say six to ten hours is reasonable?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: I always pad estimates a little. I’d say more like eight to twelve hours—but spread over a week. It’s a “hurry up and wait” type of build. First you have to get the parts. Then you laser cut the components; you don’t have to stand there the whole time, but it can take a couple hours. Then during assembly there’s glue in a few steps, and you need cure time—overnight, for example. So overall it’s not that much hands-on time, but it’s spread out.<h5>Host: Who’s the ideal candidate for a homemade solution? Budget is one factor, but I also think about labs that don’t need constant use—maybe a limited-term project where it makes sense to build and use it for a few months.</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: I think you’re right. If someone’s just dipping their toe in—where a small, improvised setup no longer cuts it—you might need more sample capacity, but you don’t have the budget or you’re not sure it won’t be a one-off project. Building your own evaporator can serve your purposes. Then down the road you may decide, “This worked, but we’ve used it heavily and it’s time to invest in a commercial product.” I’m not saying it will fall apart after a year—I think it’s a robust design—but it’s a good entry-level piece of equipment. It’s also a great way to show people you can build lab equipment; you don’t always have to buy it.<h5>Host: That’s a great point. What happened to the prototype? It sounds like there were actually two units in operation.</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Yeah—you could call them the alpha and beta. As far as I know, both are still in use. The collaborator who asked us to build the other unit is actually my postdoc adviser now—Emily Marin. She was at Utah and then moved here to Mānoa and recruited me. The evaporator I built with her graduate student stayed at Utah while he finished his project, and I think it may end up in another faculty member’s lab. The original unit I built in Mark Porter’s lab is, as far as I know, still sitting in the fume hood for whenever someone needs SPE and blowdown for PFAS analysis.<h5>Host: On the RSC website, your technical note was included in a collection on analytical methods for a low-resource world. Based on your lab experience, what other tools or processes seem attractive for homemade solutions?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Great question—this is something I’ve been interested in for a while. As an undergraduate at Central Washington University, I worked with Dr. Tim Sor and we built a homebuilt spectrometer using LEDs and a poster mailing tube to keep things aligned, plus 3D printed parts and some lenses. I think spectroscopic techniques—especially when you’re doing single-analyte work—are great candidates for DIY approaches. In that project, we tuned the instrument to an absorption maximum of a lead complex. Similarly, some biologists might want a small fluorescence setup for something like chlorophyll where you only need specific excitation and emission wavelengths. If you don’t need full spectra or ultra-high sensitivity, DIY can be a good fit.I also think electrochemical methods are promising, especially with the availability of DIY PCBs. There’s end-user software now where you can design your own PCB, send it off to a company that will make a small batch, and build a little potentiostat for electrochemical experiments.For me, what’s really exciting is the potential to build inexpensive instrumentation—things you could once have built at a place like RadioShack, or now source online. That could support citizen science, especially for contaminant monitoring. People worry about what’s in their backyard, what’s in a stream near their home, or what’s coming from a nearby industrial site. If we can build equipment people can assemble—or provide kits—and use for real contaminant monitoring, that could be really powerful.<h5>Host: I totally agree. What developments in water research—PFAS or otherwise—should chemists be aware of?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Water research is a big field, and I’m still new in this space compared to my PhD work, which was more bioanalytical assay development. But what stands out to me is how directly water research impacts people’s everyday lives. That may not be a novel statement, but it’s important.With PFAS specifically, we have strong methods—LC–MS-based methods, and total organic fluorine methods like combustion ion chromatography. But these aren’t accessible to the average person who’s concerned about what’s in their tap water. So we should think about whether we can develop approaches that let communities collect meaningful results, or establish community collaborative projects where researchers use their instrumentation to help answer real-world questions.We have ongoing outreach work here at Mānoa and through WRRC. For example, Dr. Aurora Kagawa-Viviani works with Native Hawaiian land and water stewards. She connects with us when groups stewarding a spring want to know whether there are legacy or emerging contaminants. That’s a great model: community members doing cultural practices are concerned about contamination, and university researchers have the tools and expertise to help. Working together provides real value.I also think scientists can help communities understand regulations and what concentration limits actually mean. Regulations can vary locally, and communicating the meaning of parts-per-billion versus parts-per-trillion, or how hazard indices work, is challenging—but we can help break it down and explain it clearly. That’s a real service.<h5>Host: At the end of each interview, I like to ask: what did we miss? Is there anything else from the technical note you’d like to share?</h5>Dr. Eamonn Clark: Maybe one thing we glossed over is the design flexibility. We talked about three geometries for holding sample tubes, but the real takeaway isn’t “Here are three holders—use them.” If they work for your samples, great. The main point is that you can design for whatever you’re working with. We included notes like, “If you shrink this opening and shorten this standoff, you could adapt it for a different tube.” We wanted our design to be an example people could build on—so they can be creative and tailor it to their own application.It’s not meant to be prescriptive; it’s descriptive. This is something we did, it worked for us, and we think it can work for you. And if someone designs something based on it, I’d love to see it—send me a picture. I think it’s neat when people build equipment for their own bespoke workflows.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

Building DIY Lab Equipment for Water Research: Homemade Nitrogen Evaporators & PFAS Analysis

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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.

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Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

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The Dani Master AS is a high-performance autosampler designed for gas chromatography (GC) systems. It offers exceptional reliability, flexibility, and ease of use, making it ideal for routine and advanced analytical applications.

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Building DIY Lab Equipment for Water Research: Homemade Nitrogen Evaporators & PFAS Analysis

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