News articles
SN2 vs. E2: Competition Clarified
For organic chemists (in training), the question of how to determine whether a chemical reaction follows the SN2 or E2 route is timeless. A group in Amsterdam summarized its 25 years of research in Chemistry: A European Journal, offering concrete, simple concepts to overcome this dilemma.
Sweet victory: sugar molecule disrupts bacterial cell wall
Researchers in Groningen have synthesised a variant of a sugar molecule that is incorporated in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. However, as reported in JACS Au, they did not achieve the desired effect.
ERC Advanced Grants 2024 awarded
This year, a total of €721 million will be awarded to 281 European scientists through prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. This is an increase of €69 million and 26 scientists on last year’s figures. Two members of the KNCV and one member of the KVCV have been awarded a grant.
Peptide-like oligomers with much more information
Researchers from Wageningen have synthesised peptide-like oligomers for which the chirality of each monomer can be determined. They write in Nature Synthesis that there is huge potential for information storage.
Nutritional Needles
Although pest control is important for agriculture, it can also create environmental problems. Micro-needles can offer a way to apply pesticides and nutrients more precisely.
‘Metal next door’ is a successful anti-cancer agent.
The recent success of palladium-based anticancer drugs has prompted an international team to search for molecules in the chemical space with even greater efficacy. As a bonus, they report in the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry that the synthesis does not even require solvents.
Perfect PIC gels with a perfect protocol
After years of answering questions, the group of scientists from the Radboud University who invented polyisocyanide hydrogels decided to draw up a protocol that describes absolutely everything.
Nano antibodies against Parkinson’s disease
Researchers from Flanders and Italy have developed a strategy to restore the function of an enzyme that is impaired in Parkinson’s disease. In an article published in Nature Communications, they demonstrate how antibody fragments can bind to the enzyme in the correct location to stabilise it and enhance its activity.
No needles needed
Currently, taking a blood sample is the most straightforward way to measure glucose levels or detect the presence of pathogens. But Chicago-based researchers have now developed an alternative method that enables analysis of breath as a new diagnostic approach. Instead of needles, this method relies on frozen spikes.
HPLC2025: The Merits and Pitfalls of AI
From 15 to 19 June, analytical chemists will be celebrating in Bruges at the 54th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2025), which will bring together academics and industry professionals for an engaging and interactive programme.
Fruity, Fatty, Piggy Patty
Meat products are very complex due to their variety of textures and flavours. Imitating it is a challenge. In ACS Food Science & Technology, researchers from China have published the first major step towards imitating pork fat using pomelo peel.
HPLC2025: not your typical conference
From 15 to 19 June, analytical chemists will be celebrating in Bruges at the 54th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2025), which will bring together academics and industry professionals for an engaging and interactive programme.
Creating nanoparticles from the outside in
A ring-shaped molecule now makes it possible to control the self-assembly of nanoparticles from the outside, according to an Amsterdam-based group writing in Nature Chemistry.
World Metrology Day 2025
Today, we are celebrating both UNESCO World Metrology Day and the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention. But what does that have to do with chemistry?
Gripping the green
When talking about better equipment for golf, probably the clubs first come to mind. But as it turns out, also the balls allow all kinds of tweaking. Including a new type of coating that really puts the player’s qualities to the test.
Small group of personalised antibodies in immune system much more stable than previously thought
It appears that a small group of antibodies dominates and personalises the entire repertoire of the immune system. Researchers at Utrecht University discovered that these antibodies remain virtually unchanged in composition and quantity, even after vaccinations.
Predator: the final droplet hunt
It was a hit on LinkedIn: a moving droplet being chased by another droplet, which then ‘catches’ it. This experiment by Peter Korevaar’s group provides insights into physico-chemical processes that can be found in everyday life.
Burgers from cashew waste
Food products in the supermarket often leave a big trail of waste. This is certainly the case with the cashew nut. In ACS Food Science & Technology, researchers from Colombia have come up with a solution: plant-based burgers made from the cashew apple.
A chirality with a nice ring to it
An international team has discovered that an eight-membered ring has a previously overlooked potential for chirality. Its surprising robustness opens up interesting applications, they report in ChemPhotoChem.
Nasty nematodes
Tiny worms are already causing havoc among beech in North-America. New research shows that also European beech is susceptible to this invasive pest, raising concerns for the health of European forests.
