German China
3D structure of an NRPS docking domain pair. The docking domains of NRPS B (green) connects to the fitting docking domain of NRPS C (magenta) via a β-leaflet. (J.-W.-Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main)
Germany: Biosynthesis

Custom-Designed Natural Products Within Reach

Microorganisms often assemble natural products similar to industrial assembly lines. Certain enzymes, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) play a key role in this process. Biotechnologists at Goethe University have now been able to discover how these enzymes interact with each other. This brings them one step closer to their goal of engineering the production of such peptide natural products.

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Close up image of one node of the triangular honeycomb. The structure, which consists of air surrounded by ceramic, can be designed with specific porosity. (James Weaver/Wyss Institute)
Materials Research

3D-Printing — Lightweight Materials Inspired by Nature

Inspired by natural cellular structures, researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Seas), the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, and MIT have developed a new method to 3D print materials with independently tunable macro-and microscale porosity using a ceramic foam ink.

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The image, created with OPT, shows the pancreas of a healthy mouse. The individual pancreatic islets have been color-coded and their exact volume and 3D-coordinates can be precisely determined throughout the pancreas. The exocrine pancreatic tissue (in grey) has partly been digitally removed.  (Ulf Ahlgren)
Molecular Medicine

3D Visualisation: New Tool in Diabetes Research

Swedish scientists have developed datasets that are able to map the three-dimensional distribution and volume of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The visual and quantitative data of this development could become a valuable reference resource for diabetes researchers. The Umeå University researchers are publishing these datasets in the Nature Research journal Scientific Data.

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Eager eye: The 3D camera detects the exact position and layer height of the pens by scanning the complete top layer in the bulk box after each pick of the robot. This image allows the pens to be taken out of the box with high-level precision. (Lukas Gojda/Fotolia.com, Schubert Packaging Systems, [M]-Sahlmüller)
Packaging Solution

Automated Handling of Sensitive Products with Novel 3D Technology

In order to expand its capacities and modernise its packaging line, those responsible for the location of a large biotechnology firm in the Netherlands were looking for a new system to pack vials and pens in different configurations. Automating this small-component packaging task would open up the possibility of increasing efficiency and saving production costs. At the same time, the chosen packaging solution needed to offer a high level of flexibility and precise handling.

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