52/2009

Tracing the Traces
Nanogram concentrations of a toxic compound detected in chlorinated tap water (PDF)

A Toxic Disinfection By-product, 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, Identified in Drinking Water

Xing-Fang Li, University of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada)

51/2009

Glowing Channels
Microanalysis system for rapid mercury detection (PDF)

Towards an Efficient Microsystem for the Real-Time Detection and Quantification of Mercury in Water Based on a Specifically Designed Fluorogenic Binary Task-Specific Ionic Liquid

Gilles Marchand, CEA LETI-MINATEC, Grenoble (France)

50/2009

On the Trail of Stradivari
Secret behind the composition of the varnish on Stradivari violins revealed (PDF)

The Nature of the Extraordinary Finish of Stradivari's Instruments

Jean-Philippe Echard, Cité de la musique, Paris (France)

49/2009

A Light Touch
Iron complexes as efficient catalysts for the light-driven extraction of hydrogen from water (PDF)

Light-Driven Hydrogen Generation: Efficient Iron-Based Water Reduction Catalysts

Matthias Beller, Universität Rostock (Germany)

48/2009

All Decked Out
Networks of chitin filaments are integral components of diatom silica shells (PDF)

Chitin-Based Organic Networks—An Integral Part of Cell Wall Biosilica in the Diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

Eike Brunner, TU Dresden (Germany)

47/2009

Arsenic and Gold Clusters
Fast, easy, and highly sensitive arsenic detection with gold nanoparticles (PDF)

Use of Gold Nanoparticles in a Simple Colorimetric and Ultrasensitive Dynamic Light Scattering Assay: Selective Detection of Arsenic in Groundwater

Paresh Chandra Ray, Jackson State University (USA)

46/2009

Molecular Freight
Synthetic nanoscale transport system modeled on nature (PDF)

A Polysaccharide-Based Container Transportation System Powered by Molecular Motors

Seiji Shinkai, ISIT, Fukuoka (Japan)

45/2009

Yeast in a Shell
Coating individual living yeast cells with silicon dioxide (PDF)

Biomimetic Encapsulation of Individual Cells with Silica

Insung S. Choi, KAIST, Daejeon (Republic of Korea)

44/2009

Mirror Images United
Simultaneous binding of both enantiomers of a drug to an enzyme (PDF)

The Active Site of an Enzyme Can Host Both Enantiomers of a Racemic Ligand Simultaneously

Rolf Breinbauer, Technische Universität Graz (Austria)

43/2009

New Look for Antiques
Paintings and gilt surfaces can be effectively and gently restored with water-based microemulsions (PDF)

Nanoscience for Art Conservation: Oil-in-Water Microemulsions Embedded in a Polymeric Network for the Cleaning of Works of Art

Piero Baglioni, Università degli Studi di Firenze (Italy)

42/2009

Open Lid Reveals Mercury
Simple test system for rapid, selective detection of methylmercury in biological samples (PDF)

The Determination of Methylmercury in Real Samples using Organically Capped Mesoporous Inorganic Materials Capable of Signal Amplification

Ramón Martínez-Máñez, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain)

41/2009

Artificial Reddener
New synthetic route for EPO and other glycoprotein analogues (PDF)

Design and Synthesis of a Homogeneous Erythropoietin Analogue with Two Human Complex-Type Sialyloligosaccharides: Combined Use of Chemical and Bacterial Protein Expression Methods

Yasuhiro Kajihara, Yokohama City University (Japan)

40/2009

Atomic Wire with Protective Sheath
Stable metal nanowires one atom wide inside carbon nanotubes (PDF)

High-Yield Synthesis of Ultrathin Metal Nanowires in Carbon Nanotubes

Hisanori Shinohara, Nagoya University (Japan)

39/2009

Death by Light
Nanoparticles as agents for the photodynamic killing of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (PDF)

Photoactive Hybrid Nanomaterial for Targeting, Labeling, and Killing Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Luisa De Cola, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (Germany)

38/2009

Oxygen in Place of Chlorine
Towards a more environmentally friendly propylene oxide synthesis: gold clusters catalyze the epoxidation of propylene by oxygen (PDF)

Propene Epoxidation with Dioxygen Catalyzed by Gold Clusters

Masatake Haruta, Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan)

37/2009

New Perspectives on Cancer Surgery
Coupling electrosurgery with mass spectrometry for real-time identification of tumor tissues (PDF)

In Vivo, In Situ Tissue Analysis Using Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Zoltán Takáts, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen (Germany)

36/2009

Ring Closure as Warning
New reagent for the detection of organophosphate neurotoxins with an extremely fast response (PDF)

Hydroxy Oximes as Organophosphorus Nerve Agent Sensors

Julius Rebek Jr., The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla (USA)

35/2009

Conducting Tubes
Carbonized titanium dioxide nanotubes with semimetallic properties increase the efficiency of methanol fuel cells (PDF)

Semimetallic TiO₂ Nanotubes

Patrik Schmuki, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany)

34/2009

Opening the Door for CO₂
Flexible, three-dimensional lattice binds carbon dioxide selectively and efficiently (PDF)

Highly Selective CO₂ Capture in Flexible 3D Coordination Polymer Networks

Myunghyun Paik Suh, Seoul National University (Republic of Korea)

33/2009

Boost for Methanol?
New solid catalyst for the direct low-temperature oxidation of methane to methanol (PDF)

Solid Catalysts for the Selective Low-Temperature Oxidation of Methane to Methanol

Ferdi Schüth, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung (Germany)

32/2009

Self-Destructing Messages
Light-reactive coatings make metal nanoparticles into inks for self-erasing paper (PDF)

Writing Self-Erasing Images using Metastable Nanoparticle "Inks"

Bartosz A. Grzybowski, Northwestern University, Evanston (USA)

31/2009

Molten Proteins
Surface-modified liquid protein with liquid-crystalline properties (PDF)

Solvent-Free Protein Liquids and Liquid Crystals

Stephen Mann, University of Bristol (UK)

30/2009

Progress Toward Artificial Cells
Synthesis of uniform, unilamellar vesicles by means of microfluidics (PDF)

Microfluidic Formation of Monodisperse, Cell-Sized, and Unilamellar Vesicles

Shoji Takeuchi, University of Tokyo (Japan)

29/2009

Of Cyclops and Lilies
New strategy for the synthesis of cylcopamine, a potential cancer treatment (PDF)

Synthesis of Cyclopamine Using a Biomimetic and Diastereoselective Approach

Athanassios Giannis, Universität Leipzig (Germany)

28/2009

Digging up Dirt
Novel natural product from environmental DNA: Erdacin is a powerful antioxidant (PDF)

An Environmental DNA-Derived Type II Polyketide Biosynthetic Pathway Encodes the Biosynthesis of the Pentacyclic Polyketide Erdacin

Sean F. Brady, The Rockefeller University, New York (USA)

27/2009

Coming Soon: Tuberculosis Detection with a Chip?
Lab on a chip: Highly sensitive detection of bacteria with magnetic nanoparticles and a miniaturized NMR method (PDF)

Ultrasensitive Detection of Bacteria Using Core–Shell Nanoparticles and an NMR-Filter System

Ralph Weissleder, Harvard Medical School, Boston (USA)

26/2009

Reveal the Enemy
Carbon nanotubes and aptamers: new biosensor detects extremely low bacteria concentrations quickly, easily, and reliably (PDF)

Immediate Detection of Living Bacteria at Ultralow Concentrations Using a Carbon-Nanotube-Based Potentiometric Aptasensor

Jordi Riu, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona (Spain)

25/2009

A Matter of Density, Not Quantity
Individual bacterial cells are capable of quorum sensing when confined in small volumes (PDF)

Microfluidic Confinement of Single Cells of Bacteria in Small Volumes Initiates High-Density Behavior of Quorum Sensing and Growth and Reveals Its Variability

Rustem F. Ismagilov, University of Chicago (USA)

24/2009

White Glow
Dye-doped DNA nanofibers emit white light (PDF)

White Luminescence from Multiple-Dye-Doped Electrospun DNA Nanofibers by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

Gregory A. Sotzing, University of Connecticut, Storrs (USA)

23/2009

Frustrated Pair Captures CO₂
Novel concept for the binding of carbon dioxide without a metal-containing catalyst (PDF)

Reversible Metal-Free Carbon Dioxide Binding by Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Gerhard Erker, Universität Münster (Germany)

22/2009

Tubes Grow From Drops
Bismuth-catalyzed growth of tin sulfide nanotubes (PDF)

Bismuth-Catalyzed Growth of SnS₂ Nanotubes and Their Stability

Wolfgang Tremel, Universität Mainz (Germany)

21/2009

Colorful Columns
Simple method for the production of microcylinders with multiple compartments (PDF)

Multicompartmental Microcylinders

Joerg Lahann, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)

20/2009

Capsules Encapsulated
Enzyme-equipped liposomes embedded in polymer capsules as a novel biomedical transport system (PDF)

A Microreactor with Thousands of Subcompartments: Enzyme-Loaded Liposomes within Polymer Capsules

Frank Caruso, University of Melbourne (Australia)

19/2009

Progress Toward Artificial Tissue?
Soft and tough like biological tissue: DNA-wrapped carbon nanotubes (PDF)

Tough Supersoft Sponge Fibers with Tunable Stiffness from a DNA Self-Assembly Technique

Geoffrey M. Spinks, University of Wollongong (Australia)

18/2009

Biomass as a Source of Raw Materials
New process for obtaining alkanes from bio-oil (PDF)

Highly Selective Catalytic Conversion of Phenolic Bio-Oil to Alkanes

Johannes A. Lercher, Technische Universität München

17/2009

Synthesis with a Template
Carbon-free fullerene analogue (PDF)

A Carbon-Free Icosahedral Molecule with C₈₀ Topology

Manfred Scheer, Universität Regensburg (Germany)

16/2009

Four-in-One
Targeted Gene Suppression in Cancer Cells (PDF)

All-in-One Target-Cell-Specific Magnetic Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Molecular Imaging and siRNA Delivery

Jinwoo Cheon, Yonsei University, Seoul (Republic of Korea)

15/2009

Snatched From the Air
Carbon dioxide as a carbon source—a carbene catalyst opens new perspectives (PDF)

Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol with Silanes over N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts

Yugen Zhang, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Biopolis (Singapore)

14/2009

Ordered Water
Just how much water is there in calcined gypsum? (PDF)

How Much Water Does Calcined Gypsum Contain?

Michael F. Bräu, BASF Construction Chemicals GmbH, Trostberg (Germany)

13/2009

Swarming Particles
Silver chloride microparticles act as light-driven micromotors that organize into swarms (PDF)

Schooling Behavior of Light-Powered Autonomous Micromotors in Water

Ayusman Sen, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park (USA)

12/2009

A Good Eye for Oxygen
Dye-doped nanoparticles very precisely indicate the oxygen concentration of cells and tissues (PDF)

Ratiometric Single-Nanoparticle Oxygen Sensors for Biological Imaging

Jason McNeill, Clemson University (USA)

11/2009

Synthetic Capsules Made of Natural Building Blocks
Block copolymer vesicles from protein and sugar components (PDF)

Polysaccharide-block-polypeptide Copolymer Vesicles: Towards Synthetic Viral Capsids

Sébastien Lecommandoux, Université de Bordeaux, Pessac (France)

10/2009

Tracking Individual Particles
Electrochemical technique follows the motion of individual microparticles in space and time (PDF)

A Method for the Positioning and Tracking of Small Moving Particles

Richard G. Compton, University of Oxford (UK)

09/2009

Bristly Spheres as Capsules
Inorganic nanoparticles with a layer of hydrophilic polymer chains aggregate into complex nanostructures (PDF)

Micelle and Vesicle Formation of Amphiphilic Nanoparticles

Stephan Förster, Universität Hamburg (Germany)

08/2009

Light Instead of Current
Activation of neurons with light by means of semiconductor photoelectrodes (PDF)

Wireless Activation of Neurons in Brain Slices Using Nanostructured Semiconductor Photoelectrodes

Clemens Burda, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland (USA)

07/2009

The Beaver as Chemist
Total synthesis of enantiomerically pure nupharamine alkaloids from castoreum (PDF)

Stereoselective Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Nupharamine Alkaloids from Castoreum

Horst Kunz, Universität Mainz (Germany)

06/2009

A Pocketful of Uranium
Construction of a selective uranium-binding protein (PDF)

Engineering A Uranyl-Specific Binding Protein from NikR

Chuan He, University of Chicago (USA)

05/2009

Plugging in Molecular Wires
It’s all in the wiring: biocomponents at the heart of an artificial photosystem (PDF)

Plugging a Molecular Wire into Photosystem I: Reconstitution of the Photoelectric Conversion System on a Gold Electrode

Nao Terasaki, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tosu (Japan)

04/2009

Enzyme with a Sugar Antenna
Researchers achieve semisynthesis of homogeneous glycoproteins (PDF)

Semisynthesis of a Homogeneous Glycoprotein Enzyme: Ribonuclease C

Carlo Unverzagt, Universität Bayreuth (Germany)

04/2009

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03/2009

Deceiving Cell Walls
A new drug? Emulation of the choline architecture of pneumococcal cell walls cripples critical pneumococcal proteins (PDF)

Multivalent Choline Dendrimers as Potent Inhibitors of Pneumococcal Cell-Wall Hydrolysis

Jesús M. Sanz, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Elche (Spain)

02/2009

Better Treatment for Lead Poisoning Coming Soon?
Removing lead from blood with selective lead receptors and magnetic nanoparticles (PDF)

A Selective Fluoroionophore Based on BODIPY-functionalized Magnetic Silica Nanoparticles: Removal of Pb²⁺ from Human Blood

Jong Hwa Jung, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju (Republic of Korea)

01/2009

Aspirin Plus Co
Organometallic compounds as new drugs? Cobalt-containing aspirin complex with potential anti-tumor properties (PDF)

Modulation of the Biological Properties of Aspirin by Formation of Bioorganometallic Derivative

Ingo Ott, Freie Universität Berlin (Germany)