German China
Pablo Perez-Pinera, left, and Karin Jensen developed remote laboratory exercises to help students learn common lab techniques. (University of Illinois/ Karin Jensen)
USA: Remote Learning

Clever Solution for Remote Lab Experience

During the Covid-19 pandemic, laboratory courses were difficult to conduct due to lack of access to specialized equipment for remote learners. To overcome this challenge, researchers designed a laboratory exercise to teach students how to use micropipettes, through remote learning, using at-home kits.

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Synthetic gold nanoparticles (left) with DNA-detector (right) (TU Wien)
Austria: Water Safety

Rapid Test Detects Cause of Water Pollution

Methods for detecting the source of faecal water contamination using DNA have existed for some time. However, these methods were complicated, expensive and time consuming, requiring samples to be taken and then sent to a laboratory for genetic analysis. TU Wien has succeeded in developing a new, DNA-based rapid testing procedure that identifies the cause for water pollution quickly and economically.

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