Highlights
A*STAR Institute Of Materials Research And Engineering (A*STAR IMRE)
Aim for the stars
23 October 2012Glucose–amine rings turn star-shaped fluorescent dyes into powerful probes for imaging cancer cells in three dimensions
Organic Synthesis
The sweetest melting pot
23 October 2012A ‘one-pot’ industrial process for manufacturing high yields of an artificial sweetener under mild conditions proves successful
Plasmonics
Growth lamps for nanoparticles
9 October 2012Illuminating silver nanoparticles with narrow-bandwidth light makes them grow uniformly, improving their potential for imaging and sensing applications
Catalysts
Putting cyanide to work
9 October 2012Industrial-scale chemistry could benefit from a robust new catalyst that selectively generates amino acid precursors from cyanide at room temperature
Ferroelectrics
Visible progress
9 October 2012A thin film made of graphene and a charge-inducing polymer shows promise as a replacement for transparent electrical conductors in displays
Nanoparticles
Making gold economical for sensing
9 October 2012Gold nanocluster arrays developed at A*STAR are well suited for commercial applications of a high-performance sensing technique
Biotin
Picking out partners
9 October 2012An intracellular labeling technique allows scientists to monitor interactions between proteins in their natural environment
Graphene
A patterned template for molecular packing
9 October 2012Simulations of atomic-scale processes show how to trap and pack molecules in patterned graphene sheets that may have molecular storage applications
Institute Of Bioengineering And Nanotechnology (IBN)
Building up stem cell production
25 September 2012A three-dimensional fiber scaffold promotes large-scale stem cell proliferation and differentiation to levels suitable for tissue transplants
Alternative Fuels
Optimizing water splitting
25 September 2012Computer simulations of a metal–sulfide alloy unlock the secrets to designing solar-powered catalysts that generate hydrogen fuel from water
A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network (A*STAR SIgN)
Losing ground to the enemy
25 September 2012Inappropriate activation of an immune signaling pathway during infection leaves the body vulnerable to sepsis
Nanomaterials
Smarter production of a promising water splitter
25 September 2012A method is now available to produce non-aggregating semiconducting particles in water
Stem Cells
Jump-starting cheaper cancer vaccines
25 September 2012A technique to prime stem cells to induce anti-tumor immunity may open the door to economical production of anticancer shots
