|
|
|
ILL
Neutron scattering experiments have provided new insights into the origin of the side effects of an antifungal drug prescribed all over the world. The antibiotic Amphotericin B (AmB) was shown to attack fungal cells. The drug is highly effective, however in the past 20 years there has been a dramatic rise in cases of the fungi developing antibiotic resistance. This has necessitated the prescription of increased doses of AmB which unexpectedly produced severe and sometimes lethal side effects. The accepted explanation of AmB as an antibiotic has been that it combines with molecules found in the membrane to create barrel shaped holes which allow cell material to leak out or harmful material to get in, killing the cell. Dr David Barlow and his colleagues from King’s College London describe neutron diffraction experiments at the ILL that reveal how AmB interacts with fungal and animal cell membranes on sub-molecular scales of around 1 millionth the width of a human hair.
[more]
[archive]
|
|
In August 2013 the new baltic RACIRI summer school takes place for the first time.
It was initiated by Russia, Sweden and Germany in the collaborative framework of the Röntgen-Angström-Cluster (RAC) and the Ioffe-Röntgen-Institute (IRI). The school will be held every year under a special focus theme, using synchrotron radiation, X-rays and neutrons. 2013 it will be held under the focus theme Soft Matter and Nano Composites. Applications are possible until May 31, 2013. The best master/diploma students and PhD students will receive all necessary funding for travel, accomodation and food.
[more]
[archive]
|
|
The German neutron research concentrated at the Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) in Garching received its own name: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum. Thus, the successful cooperation between the Technische Universität München, the Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht - Center for Materials and Coastal Research (HTG) enters a new stage. Prof. Dr. Winfried Petry, Scientific Director of the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum and Scientific Director of the Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II): "Research using neutrons provides essential and unique contributions to the major challenges of modern societies. To face these challenges, university and non-university research institutions are engaged at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum."
[more]
[archive]
|
|
This spring, two important prizes in neutron research will be awarded: The prestigious Walter Hälg Prize to a European scientist for an outstanding programme of research in neutron scattering with a long term impact on scientific and/or technical neutron scattering applications, and the Bertaut-Prize to to a young European scientist (up to 5-8 years after finishing the PhD-thesis). Nominations can be sent to the ENSA chairman until March 31st and April 20th 2013 respectively.
[more]
[archive]
|
|
|
