Login
Register

Year: 2022

TPU scientists develop new chip of lensless optical traps for lab-on-a-chip

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University jointly with their colleagues from National Chiao Tung University (Taiwan) have proposed a concept of a new optical bottle-beam trap. The scientists showed that two dielectric micro-bricks could be applied instead of the lens.

Unlike its alternatives, in the long run, such a trap can be used in lab-on-a-chips (LOC). The LOC is a tiny device that allows conducting various research, including biochemical one using a few square millimeter chip.

It will significantly broaden the opportunities of tiny laboratories. The research findings are published in the Optics Letter academic journal (IF: 3,866; Q1).

The optical trap is also called an optical capsule. It is a device using a laser beam that captures micro-sized objects not disrupting their inner structure. For instance, they can be living cells, proteins and molecules. A functioning principle of the known optical capsules is usually based on the application of complexly structured beams.

The scientists proposed a lensless method to form the optical micro-capsule. In this case, a closed domain of the field localization is created using two dielectric bricks. The sizes of these bricks are compared with the length of a lightwave.

If two dielectric bricks are illuminated using plane front light from the end dace, the localization field of the light field is formed in output. Under the right dimensioning of the bricks, the closed domain, a special ellipse is formed. There is high intensity of the electric field along the edges of the ellipse, while there is zero intensity inside of the domain. Nanoparticles are not able to pop out this edge. This is the optical capsule.

The process simulation and calculations were carried out based on the solution of Maxwell’s equations. Gold nanoparticles were used as samples for the calculations. Gold is a classical substance to solve such tasks. Gold nanoparticles are absorbing particles for the chosen wavelength.

“The concept developed by us allows obtaining a prolate optical trap. It is a definite advantage as such a capsule can capture not only spherical nanoparticles but also prolate ones. In particular, the prolate nanoparticles are viruses. It considerably broadens the range of application of the capsule,” says Oleg Minin, Professor of the TPU School of Non-Destructive Testing and Head of the project.

In the next, experimental stage of the research, the scientists will test the concept practically. The lensless optical traps can be applied in medicine, biology, as well as in the synthesis of new materials.

St Petersburg University scientists synthesize new reagents for attaching fluorescent dyes to molecules

Posted on by Alina Perevizintsova

Chemists and biologists from St Petersburg University have developed new reagents based on heterocycloalkynes for reliable and safe attachment of fluorescent tags to biomolecules. The created compounds will help to visualise the processes occurring in cells and tissues of living organisms and to study their dynamics in real time.

Application of cyclononyne containing green fluorescent tag to modify and visualise with fluorescence microscopy HEK293 cancer cells metabolically-labeled by Azido-Glycans (A) and Azido-DNA (B).

The research results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Modern scientists can investigate composition and changes in living cells using fluorescent bioimaging. This is a technique in which the molecules of interest in a living organism, such as proteins or DNA, are ‘illuminated’ with fluorescent dyes and made visible to screening systems by exposure to light of a particular wavelength.

The fluorescent tags and selected molecules need to be securely ‘cross-linked’ for bioimaging to be successful. Special chemical reactions are used for this purpose. In the opinion of Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University, the most demanded and balanced today are SPAAC reactions (strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition). They enable direct attachment of special reagents in cells to biopolymer molecules modified with azido groups, cycloalkanes containing a dye tag.

SPAAC is a biorthogonal click reaction, that is, a reaction capable of occurring in living cells but which is neither detrimental to them nor affected by living systems as such.

‘No toxic copper catalysts are required in these reactions and no by-products are involved. SPAAC reactions are extremely important for conducting biological experiments. The physiology of living cells and the processes occurring in them can be studied in this way, while also establishing the propensity of cells to transform into tumor cells,’ explained Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University.

As Natalia Danilkina noted, there are already several types of reagents based on cycloalkynes (molecules that have a closed cycle of carbon atoms with a triple carbon-carbon bond inside the cycle) on the market. However, scientists at St Petersburg University under the leadership of Irina Balova, Director of the Institute of Chemistry and Doctor of Chemistry, have succeeded in synthesising fundamentally new reagents. They are characterised by high availability and an optimum balance between reactivity in SPAAC and stability to the environment and other reagents.

Work on the new reagents took place in several stages. At first, the researchers developed a synthetic method for producing cycloalkynes. It allowed easy design and synthesis of a series of molecules with different cycle size (from eight to ten atoms) and special structural elements – heterocyclic ring and heteroatom (any atom except carbon or hydrogen) in cycloalkynes. These elements are important in regulating balance between activity in SPAAC and stability.

Chemists at St Petersburg University followed up by studying reactivity and stability of the synthesised compounds using kinetic investigations and quantum chemical calculations. The work was carried out at the St Petersburg University Research Park at: the Computing Centre; as well as at the resource centres ‘Chemical Analysis and Materials Research Centre’, ‘Magnetic Resonance Research Centre’, and ‘Centre for X-ray Diffraction Studies’.

According to Natalia Danilkina, experiments and calculations were instrumental in revealing non-classical reactivity of compounds with the cycles of nine atoms.

Usually, the larger the cycle, the lower the reactivity and the greater the stability of the compounds. In our case the stability really contrasted: eight-membered cycles were impossible to work with due to their instability, while nine-membered ones turned out to be stable.

Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University

‘However, the reactivity of eight-membered and nine-membered cycles was almost identical,’ explained Natalia Danilkina.

Based on these data, the scientists at St Petersburg University have found that heterocyclic heterocycloalkynes of nine atoms (cyclononines) are the most suitable for SPAAC. As Natalia Danilkina said, these compounds have the best balance between stability and reactivity. Whereas compounds with cycles of eight atoms (cyclooctines) are too unstable, and substances with ten atoms (cyclodecines) are nonreactive.

In the final stage, the researchers at St Petersburg University developed a method for attaching fluorescent dyes to a new group of reagents and conducted experiments to introduce the resulting compounds into cancer cell biomolecules. The research took place in the Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry at St Petersburg University. The experiments confirmed the effectiveness of cycloalkynes with a nine-membered cycle for SPAAC. As Natalia Danilkina stated, St Petersburg University scientists can already use the new reagents for research in various areas.

The research team is currently working on refining the resulting substances. ‘Right now, it takes eight hours for a reaction to take place in a cell using our reagents. We aim to get that reactivity down as low as 15 minutes. We are testing all possible options for the structures with improved reactivity while maintaining stability. We are searching for the most efficient molecule. We are also selecting optimal ways to bind the reagents with fluorescent dyes and other groups,’ concluded Natalia Danilkina. She adds that the researchers plan to patent the technology in the future.

Our work is fully in line with the priority areas of the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation and the St Petersburg University Strategic Plan, related to the transition to personalised medicine and high-tech healthcare.

‘The molecules we invent and synthesise are molecular tools for biologists and medical specialists. They enable them to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diseases and find effective methods of treating them,’ said Professor Irina Balova, Research Team Leader, Director of the Institute of Chemistry at St Petersburg University, Doctor of Chemistry.

The research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No 20-03-00117) and the Russian Science Foundation (project No 21-13-00218 and project No 19-73-10077).

Zeroing in on strategic cooperation between Philippines and Myanmar

Posted on by Office of External Linkages and International Affairs

Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and Kyaing Tong University (KTU) in Myanmar formalised their partnership in a Ceremonial Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 16, 2021 via Zoom.

TAU was represented by its President, Dr Max P. Guillermo, and Dr Christine N. Ferrer, Director of the Office of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA).

Their counterparts from KTU, Dr. San San Mar, Rector, and Dr. Shwe Wah, Pro-Rector, were also present. The five-year joint venture shall cover streamlining student and faculty exchange programs and conducting research seminars, conferences, and publications until 2026.

Introduced to TAU by Chiang Rai Rajabhat University of Thailand, KTU is TAU’s first partner Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Myanmar. Situated in the city of Kengtung, KTU consists of 12 academic departments and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees to more than 4,000 students.

In his statement of purpose, Dr Guillermo reiterated TAU’s mandate to expand reach in the international community and benchmark with KTU to learn from its best practices and share TAU’s brand in return.

“I am jubilant to engage with one of Myanmar’s leading HEIs,” he added. Similarly, Dr. Mar expressed her appreciation of TAU’s undertakings especially the ones related to Sustainable Development Goals and internationalization.

“I share the same view with TAU that universal access to quality education should be a priority. We are committed to taking our relationship forward,” she stressed. KTU is not new to TAU as it already participated in the ASEAN Festival which was launched by TAU – ELIA on 25 August.

Also in attendance were Dr Arnold E. Velasco, TAU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Asuncion G. Beltran, TAU’s Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, who both verbalized their support for TAU’s international visibility and acknowledged the significance of tying up with recognized HEIs outside the country to beef up TAU’s reputation in academics and research. College Deans and Directors from both institutions also graced the event.

Thammasat student receives Royal Award from the Ministry of Education

Posted on by Thammasat University

Mr Atirut Deure, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University received a royal award in the Higher Education Level 2020.

He is the only student representative from Thammasat who received the royal award in Higher Education Year 2020 due to his exceptional grades and excellent conduct.

Mr Atirut Deure said that during the application for the royal award, it was important to study and understand the criteria.

Once you have assessed yourself as having met the criteria, then collect the works, photos of activities and various certificates, with emphasis on selecting activities that are practical and useful to society, as well as selecting outstanding awards from the university, regional, and national levels to be prepared as a document for assessment, he said.

Mr Atirut added that after knowing the results of the first round of assessment, he adopted recommendations from the assessment committee to improve and make it more outstanding by focusing on presenting the commitment, diligence, self-development as well as volunteering which is more beneficial to the society as a whole.

On the day of the interview, the questions the committee asked were rather tactful and to be answered within a limited time. There were also question directly related to work and his field of study.

“Studying and documenting all the works by myself helps to answer questions better therefore, I think this is the reason I was selected to receive the royal award,” he said.

Mr Atirut revealed that there are two advantages of being assessed for this year royal award.

“The first is to foster inspiration and pass it on to fellow students, exactly as what I received from seniors or friends who have persevered in accumulating experience until they have been recognized and honored as a student who has previously received a royal award. The second is to encourage pride for educational institutions, society and nation. This is because it reflects that there are youths who are still committed to self-improvement and creating useful things in our society.

“I am greatly pleased to have received the royal award as this award is considered as a valuable stamp of the result of perseverance in the field of study, creativity and volunteering throughout my student life. However, this is not the end of success, yet a starting point of my strength that will encourage me to continue to develop myself and to develop my country by which I adhere to the principle of life that ‘To live a good life you must constantly improve yourself and that self-improvement will require perseverance and patience,’” concluded Mr. Atirut.

Art & Design students selected for UiTM’s unicorn scholar program

Posted on by FSSR Editorial Team

Two students from the Faculty of Art & Design were chosen as the 30 Finalists for the UiTM Unicorn Scholar Program. Abdul Hafy Shah bin Abd Halim Shah from the Printing Technology Department and Siti Nur Nadia from the Textile Design Department were selected for their unique business interest and innovative products.

Abdul Hafy Shah has a company called AHS Ideas that focuses on robotics classes. It is a start-up company that invented advanced products that can be used in the classroom by utilising robotic and augmented reality technology.

Meanwhile, Siti Nur Nadia runs a retail business that specialises in selling printed scarves. Dinda Apparel, her company, also created an innovative solution for textile printing and digital fashion, by using augmented reality on its website to achieve virtual fitting through online purchase.

UiTM Unicorn Scholar Program (USP) is a premier program organised by UiTM in partnership between Malaysian Academy of SME & Entrepreneurship Development (MASMED), UiTM, Malaysia, the Entrepreneurship Unit, Education Planning & Research Division, Ministry of Higher Education, and UiTM Business Network Alumni (ALUMNI BIZNET).

The program allows UiTM residents, particularly students, to put their entrepreneurial skills to practice in the context of real-world business. The programme also serves as a platform for students to improve their entrepreneurial skills and provide prospects for employment and business opportunities for UiTM students while studying or upon graduation.

Through this flagship programme, students will receive mentoring from successful UiTM entrepreneurial alumni and be exposed to the skills and techniques needed to venture into the field of entrepreneurship.

Smart collaborations between universities and the industry through such programmes are critical in enhancing the entrepreneurial culture and forming a supportive ecosystem that will ensure student business sustainability. This collaboration is one of UiTM’s ongoing efforts to develop holistic graduates, enhance graduate employability, and increase the number of entrepreneurial graduates who choose entrepreneurship as a career option.

LETI scientists invent cancer treatment with nanomagnets

Posted on by Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University

Oncological diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The number of cancer cases is increasing every year — according to scientists from the American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2040, specialists will diagnose 28.4 million new cases of cancer, 47 percent more than in 2020.

Today, one of the main methods of treating different tumors is chemotherapy using cytostatics, which disrupt the growth of both cancer cells and healthy cells.

“One of the promising approaches aimed at solving the problem of cytostatics toxicity is the method of targeted transport of drugs using nanoscale carriers that provide local accumulation of drugs in tumor tissue without increasing their concentration in healthy organs and tissues,” commented Kamil Gareev, Associate Professor of the Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics at ETU “LETI.”

Scientists from St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and their colleagues from the Almazov National Medical Research Center proposed a new approach of using magnetic nanoparticles in target drug delivery. The results will form the basis for the development of magnetically controlled transport of cytostatic drugs into tumor tissue.

The essence of the described principle is to place a stent — a mesh made of a shape-memory alloy with neodymium magnets attached to it — into the cavitary organ affected by the tumor. Over several cycles of blood circulation, the magnetic nanoparticles concentrate at the site with the stent.

“In vivo experiments confirm that there is a concentration of particles in the tissue. This suggests that in the foreseeable future, it will be possible to move on to preclinical studies,” says Kamil Gareev.

At this stage, scientists mathematically calculated the optimal magnetic field characteristics for controlling magnetic nanoscale drug carriers in the body, synthesized a conjugate of magnetic nanoscale particles and a fluorescent agent, and developed a protocol for their visualization in the body. Plans of the researchers include the transition to experiments on more advanced biogenic particles.

TPU researchers study Manchurian wapiti carcass to better understand animal organisms

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Researchers of Tomsk Polytechnic University have dissected a carcass of a Manchurian wapiti drowned near Olkhon Island of Lake Baikal in December. The collected biomaterials will be helpful in understanding how geochemical elements depending on characteristics of mountain landscapes are distributed in living organisms.

In the long run, besides fundamental conclusions, the researchers hope that will be able to form guidelines for the prevention of endemic diseases.

The interdisciplinary project entitled Impact of Lithological and Geochemical Characteristics of Mountain Landscapes of Siberia and the Far East on Formation of Elemental Composition of Mammalian Organism was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and will last four years (2020-2024). The research works are being conducted by the TPU researchers jointly with scientists from the Pacific Geographical Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The TPU researchers carried out the research of the territories of Primorye and the Gornyi Altai. This year, they have already started the research of Baikalia, Transbaikalia and Buryatia. The territories for the project were chosen due to their specific chemical composition of rocks. During their expeditions, the TPU researchers collect samples of rocks, water, soils, vegetation and biomaterials.

“The case that occurred on Olkhon Island can be called unique. It is essential for the research of fodder impact on the formation of the elemental composition of a mammalian organism.

“Of course, we cannot pick up animals in protected areas. We cooperate with hunting sectors neighboring such territories or select objects for a biopsy in private households. Frequently, it is season work. A seasonal epizootic of animals can be seen on some territories during a winter. Therefore, we can collect bone material and wool samples.

“Therefore, it was a quite rare opportunity when as a result of an accident we were able to collect the samples of a brain, organs, bone material belonged to an animal from a nature reserve,” says Natalya Baranoskaya, Professor of the TPU Division for Geology and Head of the project.

According to her, the Manchurian wapiti was tracked down in the water by wolves. During six hours, staff of Pribaikalsky National Park, a policeman and locals tried to rescue the animal. Due to the thin ice, it was impossible to come closer to the Manchurian wapiti. By the moment rescuers finally pull the animal ashore, it had been dead. The animal remains, which were not useful to the researchers for further examination, were delivered to countries of golden eagles for supplementary feeding.

“We prepare the collected samples for examination and carry out a wide range of analyses. These analyses are inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine chemical composition, instrumental neutron activation analysis conducted at the TPU Nuclear Research Reactor and scanning electron microscopy.

“Factually, these are analyses for all chemical elements of the periodic table. We have already obtained rather interesting data on the concentration of chemical elements in the brain and spinal cord of the animals on territories with different geochemical conditions. As a result of the four-year research work, we must identify the significance of every organic component and metal-organic complex inside the animal organism, which mostly determine its life. The solution of such a fundamental problem will assist in the prevention of human and animals’ diseases,” explains Natalya Baranovskaya.

CCU discovers physiological, molecular responses to biotic & abiotic stresses in crops

Posted on by Chinese Culture University

Global climate changes affect ambient temperature, rainfall pattern, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, increased drought and waterlogging periods, evapotranspiration, etc. These changes have compounded the effect of these stresses on horticultural crop productivity, and these stresses are involved in short- or long-term alterations of steady-state physiological activity.

Some plants can cope with or are more tolerant to stresses by molecular, biochemical mechanisms and to morphoanatomical changes and allow plants to overcome or adapt to stress conditions. Understanding the complexity of both molecular and physiological factors that contribute to stress tolerance in horticultural crops is essential to maintain the productivity and quality of these crops.

Chinese Culture University‘s research team has been focusing on both practical and applied plant biotechnology, including whole genome analysis, identification and activation of key target genes, signaling molecules and transduction, biosynthetic pathways, secondary metabolites, phenotypic plasticity, omics, the mechanisms of photosynthetic responses, plant acclimation, marker-assisted breeding, and their contributions to tolerance to stresses.

Recently, we studied the interactions among abscisic acid, ethylene, and gibberellins that affect seed germination, seedling growth, leaf development, and stress responses, and several aba deficient suppressor mutants in Arabidopsis were identified based on their sensitivity to high glucose or high salt.

In addition, one of our studies focuses on the understanding of iron homeostasis in plants and how they sense the internal nutrient and availability status to trigger the input pathway of circadian clock during growth and development. Plant cell, tissue, and organ cultures are also significantly highlighted in our Department.

For example, we established in vitro plant regeneration from protocorm of Bletilla formosana (Hayata) Schltr which can be utilized for efficient mass propagation and germplasm conservation. Furthermore, we also firstly reported of Pectobacterium aroidearum causing bacteria soft rot disease of white calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica [L.] Spreng.) in Taiwan. The integration of all possible efforts is needed to ameliorate the adverse effect of stresses in those important horticultural crops.

UiTM and Queen’s University Belfast ink MoU for education, research collaboration

Posted on by Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM Editorial Team

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Queen’s University Belfast have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in various fields focusing on collaboration to enhance education and research institutions’ quality as well as sharing of information and expertise.

The MoU was signed by UiTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ts. Dr Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor and Queen’s University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor David S Jones. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from Queen’s University and UiTM including, Professor Dr Thakur Raj Singh, Professor in Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University, Prof. Ts. Dr Nor Hayati Saad, Deputy of Vice-Chancellor (Strategy), and Associate Professor Dr Shariza Sahudin, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, on the 25 November 2021.

According to Prof. Ts. Dr Nor Hayati Saad, collaborative partnership with Queen’s University Belfast is in line with UiTM’s vision to be a globally renowned institution in academic and technological excellence.

“UiTM is truly delighted to celebrate the addition of Queen’s University Belfast as our valuable partner. I believe this partnership, initiated by UiTM’s Faculty of Pharmacy, will be a significant opportunity for UiTM to enhance its academic growth and pave ways for greater international connection and networking,” she said. Prof. Ts. Dr Nor Hayati Saad added that future collaborative work between Queen’s University Belfast and UiTM is expected to address some of the current key global challenges based on the two institutions’ diverse research expertise and interest.

Queen’s University is highly respected across the globe as a centre of teaching excellence and innovative research. Queen’s reputation is depicted in various top-ranking achievements, including ranked 43 in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021 and listed in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects. Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the university is part of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities and is home to world-class research activities and facilities.

The cooperative relationship following the MoU signing is projected to initiate excellent and sustainable development steps towards the two institutions shared vision in providing top-notch education and research quality and ensuring high graduate employability.

Scientists create a new system to solve smart city tasks

Posted on by OLGA ROMANOVSKAYA

Scientists of South Ural State University (SUSU) have proposed their own classification of fog computing systems. The analysis of existing solutions has become the first stage of work before creating a new system for Smart Cities. The results of the study have been published in the Supercomputing Frontiers and Innovations (Q2) highly ranked journal.

In 2021, a brief failure in the Amazon’s cloud services resulted in the disruption of websites, apps, and smart devices. The problem, as the experts explain, lay in the fact that the concept of cloud computing is oriented at processing data in remote centres.

If as a computing node of smart devices, not remote servers were used but rather a local computing resource, for example, a cell phone, users would not experience any problems. It is namely this approach that is the basis for fog computing, which is a new stage in the development of cloud computing that reduces delays in transmitting and receiving data.

The modern state of the fog computing technology was analysed by the scientists of the SUSU School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. The research became an initial stage of work on the development of an original computing system. The authors studied the existing theoretical sources, source codes of the existing open systems and analysed the materials provided by the developers of closed systems. As a result, a unique classification according to the distribution by clouds, openness and closeness of systems and their hardware and software, was made.

“During the preliminary phase of the work, our team did not find similar comprehensive studies on the topic of fog computing, so we decided to publish the results of our work. In the course of the study, we came to the conclusion that in order to implement similar control systems for Smart Cities, it is necessary to develop our own specific system, or to significantly modify the existing open solutions since there are no ready-made commercial projects,” said the Candidate of Sciences (Physics and Mathematics), leading Research Fellow of the Department of System Programming of the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science Gleb Radchenko.

The research work was conducted within the frameworks of the project on the Methods and Algorithms for Collecting and Processing Data of the Internet of Things Based on the Cloud and Fog Computing Systems to Support Intellectual Monitoring and Automation Systems of the Smart City, being fulfilled by the SUSU School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. The project won a joint grant from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the Government of the Chelyabinsk Region. Within the frameworks of the grant, many-aspect work was done and new fog computing architectures were proposed.

The next step taken by the scientists will be the creation of their own computing system.

The Smart City project is implemented on the territory of Chelyabinsk with the active participation of SUSU. The CityLab Smart City Laboratory, created at SUSU, has become a connecting link among the authorities, representatives of science, business, and citizens.