Breakthrough in Crystal Chemistry could Impact Discovery Pipeline


evaporative solvent loss, has the potential to enhance the drug development pipeline.


Whilst crystallisation of organic soluble molecules is a technique used by scientists all over the world, the ability to do so with such small quantities of analyte is ground- breaking. The scientists used just a few micrograms of molecular analyte dissolved in a few nanolitres of organic solvent in an automated process that offers rapid set up of hundreds of unique experiments with ease.


Part of the research team (l-r): Drs Michael Hall, Mike Probert and Andrew Tyler (Credit: Newcastle University)


Scientists at the University of Newcastle led by Dr Michael Hall and Dr Mike Probert, have successfully developed a way of growing crystals of organic soluble molecules from nanoscale encapsulated droplets. Along with chemistry experts at the University of Durham and in collaboration with SPT Labtech, the innovative method - Encapsulated Nanodroplet Crystallisation - involving the use of inert oils to control


Dr Hall, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Newcastle University, said: “We have developed a nanoscale crystallisation technique for organic-soluble small molecules, using high- throughput liquid-handling robotics to undertake multiple crystallisation experiments simultaneously with minimal sample requirements and high success rates.


“This new method has the potential to have far-reaching impact within the molecular sciences and beyond. Fundamental research will benefit from highly detailed characterisation of new molecules, such as natural products or complex synthetic molecules, by X-ray crystallography, whilst the development of new drugs by the pharmaceutical


industry will be accelerated, through rapid access to characterised crystalline forms of new active pharmaceutical ingredients.”


Understanding these new crystalline forms, known as polymorphs, is essential to the successful generation of new pharmaceutical agents and drugs. The ability to investigate these forms quickly and on a vast scale, whilst minimising the amount of analyte required, could be a key breakthrough enabled by the new ENaCT protocol.


Dr Probert, Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry and Head of Crystallography, Newcastle University, commented: “…this new approach to crystallisation has the ability to transform the scientific landscape for the analysis of small molecules, not only in the drug discovery and delivery areas but also in the more general understanding of the crystalline solid state.”


Reference: Encapsulated Nanodroplet Crystallization of Organic-Soluble Small Molecules Tyler, et al.,Chem (2020).


52238pr@reply-direct.com Ultrasound Endoscopy Capsule Wins International Award


A project by scientists at Heriot-Watt, Glasgow, Dundee and Leeds universities, involving the development of a pill for the early detection of gut disease, has won the Humanitarian Award category of the 2019 Global Engineering Impact Awards. Sponsored by National Instruments, the competition winners received their awards at a ceremony in Austin, Texas, during May.


The Sonopill programme, which was led by Professor Sandy Cochran of the University of Glasgow, competed with 140 entries from over 25 countries. The project received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.


After swallowing, the electronic pill will allow doctors to image below the gut wall using ultrasound, which is not possible with


current technology. This will allow the detection of diseases such as colorectal cancer earlier than with current clinical methods.


Professor Cochran said: “It’s a really great honour to be selected as a global finalist in the Humanitarian category of these prestigious awards. This reflects the outstanding work done by the EPSRC Sonopill Programme team.


“With significant help from National Instruments as a programme partner, we achieved all the technical goals we set ourselves, including in-vivo imaging and are now forging ahead with further work to realise first-in-human testing in due course.”


Professor Marc Desmulliez, who led the Heriot-Watt group working on the technology, said: “I am delighted that


Sonopill was recognised by engineering professionals as being significant in terms of engineering impact.


“We are looking forward to attending the competition in the USA and will pursue further funding to bring this work closer to clinical trials.”


Last year Professors Cochran and Desmulliez, working with Dr Gerard Cummins, Dr Holly Lay and David Lines, won the EMEIA Engineering Impact Awards in the Innovative Research category for Sonopill.


49581pr@reply-direct.com Microgreens and Mechanical Clock Take Big Bang Accolades


Congratulations go to Diya Vincent, a Year 7 student from Sevenoaks School in Kent and Chris Kalogroulis, a first year student studying Design Engineering at Imperial College London who were named GSK UK Young Scientist and GSK UK young Engineer earlier this year.


In her project, ‘Microgreens from Goldfish’, Diya, aged 12, grew microgreens using fertilised water from an aquarium and then compared them using three different methods. The first method grows microgreens in a neutral medium with unfertilised water. The second method utilises water from an aquarium which is naturally fertilised with fish waste and absorbs water via cloth wicks toward the plant roots. The third method also uses fertilised fish water, but with the water flowing continuously around plant roots, thanks to a solar panel powering a water pump. Diya, the GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year, concluded that method three is the fastest, delivering a harvest of microgreens, like cress, to the family salad bowl within 10 days.


GSK UK Young Engineer of the Year Chris,18, created a striking, sustainable and minimalist mechanical clock for his project ‘Flip’. Chris wanted to create a product which has an aesthetic appeal but one that would allow him to learn and apply mechanics, electronics and programming.


Chris was previously crowned Intermediate Engineering Winner at The Big Bang Competition UK finals in 2017 for his Stackamals project, comprised of 3D animal models


Diya Vincent


made by stacking layers of birch plywood together to create stunning models with hidden storage – similar to Flip they also used a series of magnets. On completion of university, Chris plans to apply the skills he’s learnt to open a business with his brother, to design and create more great products for people have in their homes.


Over 300 young people from across the country were selected to be digital finalists of The Big Bang Competition,


ARABLAB+ Postponed to March 2021


The ARABLAB Group has decided to postpone ARABLAB+, originally scheduled to take place earlier this year in March. This is due to the overwhelming concerns of exhibitors, visitors, principals and agents over their ability to travel to the show, as well as the health and welfare of their staff, on account of the increasing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).


Whilst the international Science and Chemical sectors has considerably suffered due to temporary closures of global business facilities, organisers want to ensure the re-scheduled dates for ARABLAB+ will provide a highly successful event for the quality visitors and exhibitors who normally attend from over 100+ countries.


After contacting all exhibitors and visitor groups advising of


possible alternative dates in September 2020, organisers found the majority considered that to hold the event at that time was not viable owing to the continuing uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.


Organisers have also been carefully monitoring the effects of the global shut down within the manufacturing sector, and the


uncertainty of travel restrictions in the upcoming months, relating to the countries from which the exhibitors and visitors originate. In consideration of all the above factors, and the continuing uncertainties, the most important priority should be for the safety of all exhibitors and visitors.


As a result, organisers can confirm that the show will not be proceeding with the possible September dates for the show this year.


The confirmed re-scheduled dates for ARABLAB+ are 22 - 24 March 2021.


More information online: www.arablab.com 52363pr@reply-direct.com TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE, SEND ALL YOUR RESEARCH AND EVENTS NEWS STORIES TO HEATHER@INTLABMATE.COM


Chris Kalogroulis


an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people’s achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths. The students win £2,000 in prize money to continue on their STEM journey as well as a trophy and certificate.


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