Scientists at the UT Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center and the University of London have determined the structure of Type IV secretion system (T4SS), a protein complex which is a key player in antibiotic resistance. A computational biologist at UTSW makes use of machine learning to discover the 3D structure of T4SS.

Chemists in Japan, Canada and Europe have uncovered flaws in the surface structure of cellulose nanocrystals — an important step toward deconstructing cellulose to produce renewable nano-materials relevant to biochemical products, energy solutions, and biofuels.

Researchers have developed a new ultrasensitive biosensor which has the potential to detect minute amounts of tumor-derived materials, such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Molecular profiles are then generated for each sample and analyzed to detect a brain tumor and define its type, as well as predict its location within the brain.

Imagine a future in which you could 3D-print an entire robot or stretchy, electronic medical device with the press of a button —no tedious hours spent assembling parts by hand. That possibility may be closer than ever thanks to a recent advancement in 3D-printing technology led by engineers at CU Boulder.

Laboratories across the globe are making use of smart technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)—in line with the ‘Industry 4.0’ concept—due to its numerous advantages as well as to keep up with today’s changing and demanding market requirements. One of the most crucial aspects of the AI technology for laboratories is its ability to analyze large sets of data and also recommend the best possible solutions for developing innovative and at times revolutionary products.

Scientists at Inserm, CNRS and the Université de Montpellier at the Structural Biology Center in Montpellier, France have built a small robot entirely from DNA and are using it to study cell processes that are invisible to the naked eye.

So far, lignin was only a waste material of the paper industry. A team at the University of Delaware succeeded in turning industrially processed lignin into high-performance plastics, such as bio-based 3D-printing resins, and valuable chemicals.

Researchers at MIT have developed a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the form of an ultra-long fiber that could be woven into fabrics. The battery could enable a wide variety of wearable electronic devices, and might even be used to make 3D-printed batteries in virtually any shape.

3D-printed and packed with a "toolbox" for wound healing: a novel gel patch is supposed to help close chronic wounds faster. The special feature: The patch can be "switched on" and controlled specifically by light, making personalised treatment possible.

Rapid developments at all levels of microscopy, such as contrast, illumination, resolution, signal detection and data processing have occurred over the last decades and there is reason to expect that these advances will continue. However, severe limitations in accuracy, reproducibility and throughput are caused by the involvement of humans in all steps of the imaging workflow. It also poses a significant burden and workload for the researcher. To improve this situation is the biggest challenge in automation.