ETH researchers are using synthetic biology to reprogram bacterial viruses — commonly known as bacteriophages — to expand their natural host range. This technology paves the way for the therapeutic use of standardized, synthetic bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, the scientists claim.

Researchers at the MIT and the Seoul National University explored quantum tunneling, a phenomenon often used in undergraduate chemistry courses to demonstrate one of the “spookinesses” of quantum mechanics. Their experimental approach is unique, and it has enormous ramifications for future efforts to interrogate molecular structure and dynamics, with the present application affording fundamental insights into the nature of tunneling-mediated phenomena.

Microorganisms used as “production plants” for active ingredients are an important asset in the sustainable bioeconomy toolkit. But how can production strains be manipulated most efficiently for optimal performance in the process? A new approach is based on miniaturization and automation.

Heating mantles are supposed to enable the user to heat liquids safely and quickly – even in cases of (accidental) misapplication. This is now taken into account by a modified EN Standard. And it is of great importance for users to know: a violation may have unexpected consequences

Ultimately, every analysis relies on detection, and in most cases one of the many spectroscopic procedures is used for this. What is happening in this extremely wide-ranging field, and what trends are hot right now?

A new free interactive case study to help chemical engineering undergraduate students in conducting laboratory experiments more safely has been produced by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (Icheme)’s Safety Centre.

Eleni Stavrinidou and her research group at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Linköping University, have used bioelectronics to influence transpiration in a tobacco plant, without harming the plant in any way. This is an important success, since plants do not repair damaged tissue as animals and humans do.

Understanding how tissues properly form and grow during the development of an organism is an important question in biology. Researchers were now able to show that elongated cells are the key to maintain the shape of the retinal tissue during growth of a zebrafish. This concept could also apply to other organisms.

Lab Innovations will showcase at Birmingham’s NEC, 30 & 31 October, multiple options to help visitors future-proof their laboratories — from innovative products, to waste reduction and sustainability.

Getting good and consistent results for trace element analysis can be a daily challenge. For a start, contamination lurks everywhere, ready to trip you up. Next, there is the problem of sample-to-sample washout/memory effects randomly popping up to frustrate you. Then there’s the issue of interferences, which of course are at their worst for those elements that are most important to you.