One of the fundamental difficulties when working with particles smaller than a few hundred nanometres is their behavior dominated by diffusion. At such a scale, particles no longer follow predictable trajectories under external forces. Instead, they engage in a stochastic movement often described as a “random walk.” This diffusive nature severely compromises the effectiveness of conventional separation methods, which rely on deterministic forces to sort particles according to size, density, or surface properties.

The pioneering solution developed by the microfluidics team, led by Professor Caglar Elbuken at the University of Oulu, harnesses the power of combining two distinct physical phenomena to achieve precise control over nanoscale particles. By intricately blending electrophoretic slip-induced lift forces with the lateral forces arising in viscoelastic fluids, the researchers have engineered a system capable of efficiently steering and separating nanoparticles with unprecedented accuracy.

Electrophoretic slip is a lesser-known but fascinating mechanism where an applied electric field does not directly move the particle itself; rather, it mobilizes the surrounding fluid, creating a “slip” effect that lifts the particles. This mechanism offers a gentler and more controllable means of manipulating particles compared to direct electrophoretic dragging, which can be harsh or unpredictable at the nanoscale. Meanwhile, viscoelastic fluids are complex materials exhibiting both viscous and elastic characteristics, unlike simple Newtonian fluids such as water. Flowing through these fluids exerts unusual lateral forces on embedded particles, which do not typically arise in standard aqueous environments.

By leveraging this dual-action system within ordinary microchannels—avoiding the need for technically demanding and clog-prone nanofluidic channels—the research group achieved separation performance far superior to previous methods. This breakthrough not only simplifies the microfluidic setup but also significantly improves separation speed, scalability, and reliability, crucial factors for translating laboratory techniques into real-world biomedical applications.

In their experimental investigations, the team tested their method on polystyrene particles, standard nano- and microscale proxy materials prized for their uniformity in size, shape, and surface chemistry. The results revealed an impressive 30 to 50 percent enhancement in separation efficiency and purity compared to existing microfluidic techniques. Polystyrene beads serve as a vital benchmark, and these improvements indicate promising applicability for a broad spectrum of nanoparticle separation tasks.

Equally compelling was the method’s effectiveness in purifying extracellular vesicles secreted by living cells, particularly those associated with cancer biology. Extracellular vesicles, tiny membrane-bound packets released by cells, carry valuable biomolecular information reflecting the physiological and pathological status of their source cells. Achieving over a 20 percent increase in vesicle purity at this minuscule scale marks a critical advancement, facilitating more sensitive and accurate downstream analysis for diagnostics and research.

This novel microfluidic electro-viscoelastic separation technique holds transformative potential for several biomedical fields. In cancer research, for example, the ability to cleanly isolate vesicles from blood or other biological fluids can enable early detection of tumors by revealing subtle biochemical changes. Similarly, the method offers new possibilities for studying cellular communication mechanisms, where vesicle-mediated signaling plays a crucial yet poorly understood role.

Moreover, the improved particle separation system promises to impact nanomedicine more broadly. The burgeoning field of nanotherapeutics relies heavily on precisely engineered particles for targeted drug delivery and diagnostics. Effective sorting and purification of these nanoscale carriers are essential to ensure safety, efficacy, and reproducibility in clinical applications. The University of Oulu’s technique provides a scalable, faster, and more reliable tool to meet this pressing need.

Published in the prestigious journal Analytical Chemistry, the research marks a significant milestone in microfluidic particle manipulation techniques. Lead author and doctoral researcher Seyedamirhosein Abdorahimzadeh emphasizes the practical advantages of the approach: the method operates in conventional microchannels, eliminating costly and fragile nanofluidic infrastructures. It also avoids high-pressure requirements and channel clogging that plague earlier technologies, making it more accessible to researchers and industry alike.

Abdorahimzadeh’s doctoral thesis delves deeper into electroviscoelastic and electroinertial microfluidics for particle separation, underscoring the broader scientific implications of this work. His defense scheduled for early 2026 at the University of Oulu is anticipated with interest by the microfluidics and nanobiotechnology communities, eager to see further insights and extensions of this innovative approach.

The researchers envision future integration of their technique into standard laboratory workflows for blood sample analysis, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and potentially enabling rapid point-of-care testing. As the technique evolves and scales, it may become a routine tool in nanobiotechnology research, clinical diagnostics, and drug development pipelines.

Conclusively, the microfluidic electro-viscoelastic method developed by the University of Oulu researchers represents a quantum leap in the capability to separate and purify submicron particles and extracellular vesicles. It addresses a long-standing bottleneck in nanoparticle research by marrying subtle physical principles to practical engineering, unraveling the complexity of nanoscale dynamics with elegance and utility.

This breakthrough is emblematic of the profound impact that interdisciplinary microfluidics research can have on health sciences and biotechnology. As the field continues to mature, such innovations are poised to not only deepen our fundamental understanding of nanoscale biological entities but also transform how we detect, monitor, and treat diseases at their earliest stages.

Subject of Research: Nanoscale particle separation and purification using combined electro-viscoelastic microfluidics.

Article Title: Microfluidic Electro-Viscoelastic Separation of Submicron Particles and Extracellular Vesicles.

News Publication Date: February 6, 2026.

Web References:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06727

References:
Seyedamirhosein Abdorahimzadeh, Zikrullah Bölükkaya, Éva Bozó, Artem Zhyvolozhnyi, Anatoliy Samoylenko, Feby W. Pratiwi, Henrikki Liimatainen, Seppo J. Vainio, and Caglar Elbuken. Microfluidic Electro-Viscoelastic Separation of Submicron Particles and Extracellular Vesicles. Analytical Chemistry, February 6, 2026. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06727.

Keywords:
Nanoparticle separation, microfluidics, electrophoretic slip, viscoelastic fluids, extracellular vesicles, nanoparticle purification, cancer diagnostics, electro-viscoelastic microfluidics, nanoscale particle control, biomedical applications, polystyrene particles, nanomedicine.

At the crux of this investigation lies the enzyme MAR, which certain bacteria use to convert organic sulfur compounds into ethylene. For the first time, scientists have successfully extracted MAR in its pure enzymatic form, an unprecedented accomplishment that has opened the door to an enhanced understanding of its function and structure. This feat, led by Justin North and his team at Ohio State along with their colleagues at UCLA and DOE laboratories, sets the stage for bioengineered applications wherein such enzymes could replace fossil-fuel-based ethylene synthesis methods.

The investigative journey began with genetic explorations that revealed curious homology between the genes encoding MAR and those responsible for nitrogenase enzymes, which fix atmospheric nitrogen into biologically usable forms. This unexpected link suggested a deep evolutionary connection and hinted at the presence of complex metal cofactors integral to the enzyme’s catalytic activity. Nitrogenases, characterized by intricate iron-sulfur clusters, have long been regarded as among the most sophisticated metalloenzymes known in nature.

Capitalizing on advanced synthetic biology, researchers employed gene synthesis technologies to produce multiple MAR genetic variants, subsequently expressing these genes within the soil bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. This enabled the production and isolation of MAR protein in quantities sufficient for detailed study. Srividya Murali’s pioneering efforts in protein isolation were instrumental in overcoming prior technical barriers, rendering the enzyme amenable to biophysical and structural elucidation.

Spectroscopic analyses, spearheaded by Hannah Shafaat’s group at UCLA, illuminated the intricate electron transfer processes governing MAR’s catalytic conversion of sulfur compounds into ethylene. These measurements revealed that MAR’s metal cofactors engage in complex redox activities, reflecting both parallels and distinctions from nitrogenase. The electron flow pathways sculpted within MAR’s massive protein complex underscore its finely tuned catalytic prowess, manifested in selective sulfur extraction and ethylene generation.

Structural revelations afforded by cryogenic electron microscopy at Brookhaven National Laboratory further demystified MAR’s molecular composition. Researchers unveiled that MAR shares notable architectural motifs with nitrogenase, though its metal center exhibits distinctive variations tailored to its unique chemical function. These metal cofactors comprise clusters of iron and sulfur atoms assembled in configurations that enable remarkable catalytic versatility. Such structural nuances explain MAR’s predilection for sulfur extraction compared to nitrogenase’s nitrogen-fixing role.

The elucidation of MAR’s structure-function relationship fosters a nuanced understanding of how evolutionary cousins among enzymes adapt metal centers to perform distinct catalytic tasks. This insight not only enriches the fundamental biochemistry of metalloenzymes but also provides a tangible framework for future enzyme engineering endeavors. The ultimate ambition is to optimize MAR variants with superior ethylene production efficiency under industrially relevant conditions, thereby enabling a transition to bio-based ethylene synthesis.

Transitioning from fundamental science to applied biotechnology, the researchers aspire to harness MAR as a biocatalyst that can supplant traditional ethylene production processes. Achieving this requires strategic protein engineering to enhance turnover rates, stability, and substrate specificity, thus ensuring that microbial ethylene generation is both economically and environmentally competitive. This pursuit aligns with broader objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources in chemical manufacturing.

Collaboration among interdisciplinary teams—integrating microbiology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, spectroscopy, and structural biology—has been pivotal in this scientific advance. The fusion of expertise from Ohio State University, UCLA, and DOE facilities exemplifies how cooperative research accelerates breakthroughs that hold promise for sustainable industrial innovations. Such partnerships also highlight the pivotal role of cutting-edge instrumentation and methodologies, from genetic engineering platforms to high-resolution cryo-EM.

The research makes significant headway by not only uncovering the evolutionary lineage of MAR but also elucidating how its metal cofactors orchestrate electron movement during catalysis. Understanding these molecular intricacies affords strategic entry points for modifying the enzyme’s active sites or electron pathways to boost efficiency. This work thereby paves a path for rational design approaches aimed at tailoring enzymes for bespoke chemical transformations.

As environmental imperatives intensify the need for alternative materials chemistry, this pioneering study marks an important milestone in the convergence of microbiology and green chemistry. It lays the foundation for a future where bioengineered microbes equipped with optimized MAR enzymes could serve as renewable ethylene factories, reducing plastic production’s carbon footprint. The promise of a fossil fuel–independent ethylene synthesis system is tantalizingly close, enabled by a profound comprehension of bacterial enzyme sophistication.

This study was financed by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science under its Physical Biosciences program, reflecting governmental commitment to fostering scientific research addressing sustainability challenges. The multi-institutional collaboration, technical innovations, and fundamental discoveries position this research on the cutting edge, offering both immediate scientific impact and long-term industrial relevance.

In summary, the identification, isolation, and comprehensive characterization of methylthio-alkane reductase have illuminated a biochemical pathway for sustainable ethylene synthesis via bacterial metabolism. At the intersection of microbiology, enzymology, and materials science, this achievement signals a paradigm shift in how we might reimagine plastic production—transforming an ancient bacterial enzyme into a cornerstone of the circular bioeconomy.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Architecture, catalysis and regulation of methylthio-alkane reductase for bacterial sulfur acquisition from volatile organic compounds

News Publication Date: 23-Oct-2025

Web References:

• Nature Catalysis Article
• North Lab at Ohio State
• Shafaat Lab at UCLA
• DOE Joint Genome Institute
• Brookhaven National Lab Cryo-EM

References:

• North, J., et al. (2025). Architecture, catalysis and regulation of methylthio-alkane reductase for bacterial sulfur acquisition from volatile organic compounds. Nature Catalysis. DOI: 10.1038/s41929-025-01425-3
• North, J., et al. (2020). A new method for making a key component of plastics. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.abb6310

Image Credits: Not provided

Keywords

Methylthio-alkane reductase, ethylene biosynthesis, bacterial enzymes, nitrogenase analogs, metalloenzyme structure, iron-sulfur clusters, cryogenic electron microscopy, enzyme engineering, sustainable plastics, bio-based ethylene, enzymatic catalysis, microbial biotechnology

Karel Svoboda holds the position of executive vice president and director of the Allen Institute’s Neural Dynamics “moonshot,” a visionary initiative aimed at decoding the fundamental principles of neural circuit function. Svoboda’s pioneering work has unraveled synaptic mechanisms that govern learning as well as the neural circuits that orchestrate planning and movement. His research has been critical in illuminating how complex behaviors arise from neuronal interactions, bridging gaps between cellular neurophysiology and cognitive function. Central to his achievements is the development of sophisticated microscopes, molecular tools, and computational software that enable unprecedented cellular imaging within intact brain tissue, thereby facilitating an integrative understanding of neural dynamics in living organisms.

In reflecting on his election, Svoboda emphasized the importance of curiosity-driven, fundamental brain research, recognizing how biophysical methodologies catalyze transformative advances in medical science. His career trajectory encompasses a deep commitment to innovation, demonstrated during his tenure at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus where he led efforts at the intersection of neuronal biophysics and cognition. By integrating biophysical approaches with experimental neuroscience, Svoboda has elucidated the core principles of information processing within mammalian neural circuits, advancing both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies in brain science.

Jay Shendure, appointed as the lead scientific director of the Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, earned commendation for his role in pioneering the second wave of genomics technologies. His work has revolutionized gene discovery techniques, non-invasive prenatal testing, cancer diagnostics, synthetic biology, and the study of gene regulation and embryonic development at the single-cell resolution. Shendure’s innovative approaches have transformed the capacity to analyze complex biological phenomena dynamically, enabling insights into cellular heterogeneity and molecular mechanisms across developmental timelines.

Shendure’s research has particularly advanced exome sequencing applications, which have become indispensable tools for identifying genetic variants linked to Mendelian disorders and autism spectrum disorders. His contributions extend to cell-free DNA diagnostics — a non-invasive method enabling early cancer detection and prenatal assessment through circulating nucleic acids. Additionally, his investigations into whole organism lineage tracing have unveiled cellular ancestry in developmental biology, utilizing cutting-edge genomic tools to map cellular fates over time.

The election of these two scientists is part of a cohort of 100 individuals recognized by the National Academy of Medicine this year, cementing their status among the most influential thought leaders in biomedical research. Rui Costa, D.V.M./Ph.D., President and CEO of the Allen Institute, lauded Svoboda and Shendure’s work as embodying the Institute’s mission to tackle profound questions in biology. Their innovative methodologies and interdisciplinary pursuits exemplify new paradigms for studying life processes, with implications that resonate across neuroscience, genomics, and synthetic biology.

Consistent with the Allen Institute’s commitment to open science, the impactful findings, datasets, and technological advancements produced by Svoboda and Shendure are shared openly with the global scientific community. This open-access approach fosters collaboration, accelerates discovery, and broadens the translational potential of their work to address pressing health challenges. Their contributions are not confined to academic spheres but also hold transformative promise for clinical applications and therapeutic development.

Svoboda’s academic journey began with a B.A. in Physics from Cornell University followed by a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard University. His postdoctoral and professional career has been marked by the invention of innovative imaging technologies—tools that have reshaped how scientists visualize neural circuits with cellular precision in vivo. Among his accolades are the Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award and the prestigious Brain Prize from the Lundbeck Foundation, reflecting his leadership in neuroscience. Furthermore, he is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, emphasizing the broad scientific esteem he commands.

Shendure’s research group in Seattle has been at the technological vanguard, developing methodologies that have propelled understanding of human genetic diseases and developmental biology. His distinguished honors include the Curt Stern Award, the Richard Lounsbery Award, and the Mendel Award, each recognizing exceptional contributions to human genetics and genomics. Like Svoboda, Shendure is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, indicative of his strategic impact on the genetic and genomic sciences.

The election of both Svoboda and Shendure to the National Academy of Medicine not only celebrates their past achievements but also propels their potential to drive future innovations. Their research exemplifies the synthesis of technology, fundamental biology, and translational medicine, setting new benchmarks for how interdisciplinary science can unlock life’s most intricate mysteries and translate them into tangible health benefits.

The Allen Institute remains a vital catalyst for high-impact scientific inquiry and discovery, driven by a philosophy that values innovation, transparency, and collaborative progress. Svoboda and Shendure’s trajectories emphasize the transformative power of merging cellular-level insights with genome-scale technologies in a quest to understand foundational principles of health, disease, and development. As these researchers continue their work, the broader biomedical ecosystem is poised to benefit from the tools, data, and conceptual breakthroughs they produce.

In summary, the National Academy of Medicine’s recognition of Karel Svoboda and Jay Shendure highlights their career-defining achievements at the convergence of neuroscience and genomics. Their pioneering methodologies, from advanced neural imaging technologies to synthetic biology and genomic diagnostics, are reshaping our understanding of complex biological systems. This accolade affirms their leadership in biomedical innovation and sets an inspiring precedent for future generations of scientists striving to unravel the underpinnings of life and to develop interventions that improve human health worldwide.

Subject of Research: Neural circuit mechanisms underlying learning and movement; second-wave genomics technologies for gene discovery and diagnostics.

Article Title: National Academy of Medicine Honors Karel Svoboda and Jay Shendure for Pioneering Biomedical Innovations

News Publication Date: Not specified in the source content.

Web References:

• https://alleninstitute.org/person/karel-svoboda-2/
• https://alleninstitute.org/person/jay-shendure/
• https://alleninstitute.org/

Image Credits: Allen Institute / University of Washington School of Medicine

Keywords: Health and medicine, neural dynamics, genomics technologies, brain imaging, synthetic biology, non-invasive diagnostics, gene regulation, embryonic development, neuroscience, molecular imaging