Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica

#21: Shining Light on CO₂ Conversion - Petar Djinović & Miha Okorn

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica we are joined by researchers Petar Djinović and Miha Okorn from the Laboratory for Catalysis at the National Institute of Chemistry. Together they explore an intriguing question: can visible light help convert carbon dioxide into something useful?

Their recent research shows how light can accelerate the catalytic conversion of CO₂ into carbon monoxide (CO), an important building block used in the chemical industry to produce fuels and chemicals. By combining heat and visible light in a process called photothermal catalysis, the team discovered that reactions can run faster and potentially more efficiently.

But the story is not as simple as shining a light on a catalyst. Sometimes light helps and sometimes it actually makes the reaction worse. In this conversation, Petar and Miha explain how unexpected experimental results led them to rethink their assumptions, redesign their catalysts, and uncover the mechanisms behind light-assisted chemistry.

The episode also dives into the experimental side of research: special light sources, sunglasses in the lab, catalytic materials and advanced techniques that allow scientists to observe catalytic reactions while they are happening.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why converting CO₂ into CO matters for industry and the carbon cycle
How visible light can accelerate catalytic reactions
Why experiments sometimes produce the opposite of what scientists expect
What it takes to study chemical reactions in real time
How new catalysts can make reactions more energy-efficient

If you’re curious about how catalysis, energy, and light intersect and how fundamental research can open new technological possibilities this episode is for you.

🔬 Read the papers:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894725125291?via=ihub

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cey2.70102

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In the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, together with researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, we present interesting and accessible explanations of their latest discoveries, published in prestigious scientific journals. We invite you to follow us on social media and send us your questions, comments, and suggestions.

https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#20: What makes some RNA more sticky than others? - Tajda Klobučar & Jona Novljan

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica, we explore a new study revealing a hidden layer of cellular organization. Researchers Tajda Klobučar and Jona Novljan describe a newly identified class of “sticky” RNAs and the features that make them prone to condensation. These RNA networks can act like liquid command centers, helping cells organize reactions without physical walls. We discuss how these condensates form, why they matter for health and disease, and what this discovery means for our understanding of how cells build order out of chaos — plus plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from the research itself.

🔬 Read the paper:

https://www.cell.com/cell-genomics/fulltext/S2666-979X(25)00321-0

#19: The Molecular Battles That Shape Our Food Supply - Nika Žibrat Kalanj

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:34:30 GMT

In the latest episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica, we are joined by Nika Žibrat Kalanj from the National Institute of Chemistry, who takes us into the fascinating world of plant cells, membranes, and surprisingly clever microbial proteins. We start with the basics of what a cell membrane is and why it is much more than just a passive barrier. It’s a highly selective filter that protects the cell and controls what gets in and out. Nika explains how certain toxic proteins released into the environment by plant pathogens recognize these membranes, latch onto specific lipids, and ultimately damage plant cells.

Along the way, we explore why some of these proteins are unusually flexible, allowing them to attack a wide range of plants, and how even small differences in membrane composition can have big biological consequences. The episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at real research life, from extracting lipids directly from vegetables to navigating long periods of failed experiments before everything finally clicks. We place these discoveries into a broader context, discussing why plant research is often overlooked, how plant diseases threaten global food production, and why understanding membrane biology at the molecular level matters for the future of agriculture. An episode for anyone curious about the hidden battles at the surface of cells and why they matter far beyond the lab.

🔬 Read the paper:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adw6401

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#18: How Cells Sense Danger - Elvira Boršič Mlinarič

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 04:00:00 GMT

IIn the latest episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica we are joined by Elvira Boršič Mlinarič, who walks us through her recently published paper on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We talk about how immune sensors detect danger in the cell, why where proteins gather can matter as much as what they sense, and how clustering on membranes or protein scaffolds triggers inflammatory responses. Together, we unpack complex molecular immunology concepts and place them into a broader biological and biomedical context, from fundamental mechanisms to disease relevance. An episode for anyone curious about how cells recognize trouble and respond.

🔬 Read the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60277-4

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#17: Modeling Microbubbles and Gas Vesicles - Tilen Potisk

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:00:10 GMT

In this episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica, we talk with Tilen Potisk, co-author of a cutting-edge paper that develops advanced particle-based models for microbubbles and nanoscale gas vesicles, two of the most important structures used in modern biomedical ultrasound.

Tilen walks us through why encapsulated microbubbles and protein-based gas vesicles matter for imaging and drug delivery, what distinguishes them, and why modeling their mechanical behavior has been so challenging until now. This conversation opens up the nanoscale world behind ultrasound contrast agents and highlights how physics-based simulations can guide the design of next-generation therapeutic carriers. If you’re interested in soft matter physics, biomedicine, modeling, or simply enjoy clear explanations of complex science, you’ll love this episode.

🔬 Read the paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsanm.5c02783

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#16: A New Catalyst Platform for Green Hydrogen - Milutin Smiljanić

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 02:00:22 GMT

What if a key breakthrough for affordable green hydrogen was sitting in a lab drawer for years, just waiting for the right team to discover it? In this episode of Papers Illuminated, we're joined by Dr. Milutin Smiljanić from the National Institute of Chemistry to explore his team's groundbreaking research on a new catalyst platform that could significantly reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen.

We dive into two of their recent papers, published in ACS Catalysis and the Chemical Engineering Journal, which detail how they engineered a solution by combining ruthenium—a much cheaper alternative to platinum—with a unique titanium oxynitride support. Their work creates a highly efficient and durable catalyst for splitting water.

🔬 Read the studies: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894725050399

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.5c02831

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#15: Building Better Catalysts for Green Hydrogen - Yufei Ma

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 03:10:08 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Yufei Ma about a breakthrough in clean energy research. Their team has developed a new kind of catalyst made of single platinum atoms and a thin layer of molybdenum that makes splitting water into hydrogen much more efficient.

We explore how arranging atoms in just the right way can unlock record-breaking performance, why this matters for producing green hydrogen, and what it could mean for the future of renewable energy.

🔬 Read the study: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202502989

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#14 Breakthrough in CO₂ Capture - Matjaž Mazaj

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:00:12 GMT

In a new episode of the podcast Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica, we're talking with Dr. Matjaž Mazaj about a groundbreaking study in the field of carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture. Together with his team of authors, he published the article "Amine‐Functionalized Triazolate‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Diluted CO₂ Capture Performance" in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition. The research introduces a new material called NICS-24, specifically designed for efficient CO₂ capture at low concentrations, which is crucial for improving indoor air quality. The discovery offers new insights into how these materials function in humid environments and paves the way for the further development of carbon capture technologies under real-world conditions.

🔬 Read the study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202424747

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

# 13: The Hidden Life of Batteries: Watching Them Work in Real Time - Sara Drvarič Talian

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 02:00:09 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sara Drvarič Talian from the Department of Materials Chemistry at National Institute of Chemistry about how operando impedance spectroscopy is transforming battery research. We explore her team’s recent Nature Communications study demonstrating how real-time impedance measurements in three-electrode cells can reveal the dynamic processes inside lithium metal batteries, from lithium diffusion and surface changes to dendrite formation. Sara explains how this approach overcomes the limitations of conventional equilibrium-based impedance techniques and why tracking these processes operando is critical for understanding failure mechanisms such as internal short circuits and lithium pitting. From innovative experimental design to perspectives on safer, high-performance batteries, this conversation connects electrochemistry, materials science, and next-generation energy storage.

🔬 Read the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57256-0

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#12: Skrivno življenje natrija v baterijah prihodnosti - Matej Gabrijelčič

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:19:28 GMT

V tej epizodi odkrivamo, kaj se dogaja z natrijevimi ioni v notranjosti negrafitiziranega ogljika med delovanjem natrij-ionskih baterij. Z gostom Matejem Gabrijelčičem razložimo, kako raziskovalci s pomočjo napredne operando NMR spektroskopije spremljajo premikanje in nalaganje natrija v realnem času. Pri raziskavah za članek je sodelovalo 8 sodelavcev iz Odseka za kemijo materialov in Odseka za anorgansko kemijo in tehnologijo na Kemijskem inštitutu.

🔬 Članek je bil objavljen v znanstveni reviji Journal of Materials Chemistry A: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/ta/d4ta07135b

__________ In the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, together with researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, we present interesting and accessible explanations of their latest discoveries, published in prestigious scientific journals. We invite you to follow us on social media and send us your questions, comments, and suggestions.

https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#11: A Dance Between Lipids and Proteins Revealed by Cryo-EM - Gašper Šolinc

Fri, 16 May 2025 02:10:18 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Gašper Šolinc from the Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology at the National Institute of Chemistry about how lipids play a surprising role in the structure and function of protein nanopores.

We explore his team’s recent Nature Communications study on the Fav protein, showing how this coral-derived nanopore interacts with over 100 lipids, including cholesterol, to stabilize its structure. These findings highlight the critical, often overlooked role of lipids in membrane protein assemblies.

From cryo-EM insights to future applications in biosensing, this conversation bridges molecular biology, nanotechnology, and synthetic bioengineering.

🔬 Read the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58334-z

📄 Read more about the work of the Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology.: https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d11-department-of-molecular-biology-and-nanobiotechnology/

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#10: Immunogenic Cell Death: Teaching the Immune System to Fight Cancer - Sara Orehek

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:00:10 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Sara Orehek from the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry about how immunogenic cell death is changing the way we approach cancer treatment. We dive into a recent study that sheds light on how dying cancer cells can do more than just disappear—they can send out alarm signals that activate the immune system and teach it to fight smarter.

From the molecular mechanisms behind these death signals to the therapeutic potential of combining cell death with immune activation, this conversation explores the fascinating interface between synthetic biology, immunology, and oncology.

Whether you're curious about immune system dynamics, breakthroughs in cancer therapy, or how synthetic biology is reshaping modern medicine—this one’s for you.

🧬 The study was published in Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55083-3

📄 Read more about the work of the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry.: https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d12-department-of-synthetic-biology-and-immunology/

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#9: Tiny Tweaks, Big Impact: Functional Polymers for the Future - Urška Češarek

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 03:00:15 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Urška Češarek from the Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology at the National Institute of Chemistry about a more streamlined and efficient approach to synthesizing amino-functionalized polyethers: polymers with enhanced precision and functionality. From overcoming long-standing synthetic challenges to fine-tuning end-group chemistry, we explore how small molecular tweaks can lead to big breakthroughs in medicine and materials science.

Whether you're into polymers, precision chemistry, or just curious about how science shapes our everyday lives—this one's for you.

The study was published in Journal of the American Chemical Society:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c15676

Discover more of Urška Češarek work and explore groundbreaking research from the Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology here: https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d07-department-of-polymer-chemistry-and-technology/

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#8: Weaving the Future: The Art of Designing Protein Fibers - Klemen Mezgec

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 03:00:10 GMT

In Episode 8 of the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, Klemen Mezgec from the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry delves into groundbreaking advancements in modular protein engineering. He shares how designing modular protein building blocks paves the way for constructing high-molecular-weight structures and biomaterials with nanometer-scale precision. The discussion also explores the exciting potential applications of these findings, from creating innovative biomaterials to advancing biotechnological, biomedical, and bioengineering solutions.

The study was published in ACS Nano: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c07701

Discover more of Klemen Mezgec's work and explore groundbreaking research from the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology here: https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d12-department-of-synthetic-biology-and-immunology/

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#7: From Molecules to Checkmates: The Art of Science and Chess - Jure Borišek

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 02:00:12 GMT

In Episode 7 of the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, Dr. Jure Borišek from the Laboratory for Cheminformatics within the Theory Department at the National Institute of Chemistry dives into how computational simulations of molecules can deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind RNA cleavage. Beyond his expertise in computational chemistry, Dr. Borišek is also a chess grandmaster, and in this episode, he draws intriguing parallels between the strategic thinking in chess and the process of scientific research.

The study was published in Angewandte Chemie: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202405819

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https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#6: Shedding light on molecular reactivity, 3D printing, and regenerative medicine - Petra Utroša

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 02:00:33 GMT

In episode 6 of the Člankarnica podcast, Dr. Petra Utroša from the Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology at the National Institute of Chemistry explains how photoacids and photobases control pH in reactions. She discusses their study, which reveals that the chemical reactivity of these compounds doesn’t always align with their light absorption, an insight with significant implications for their use. The study was published in Chemistry – A European Journal: https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.202400820.

The expert opinion on this paper was provided in the preview: https://www.cell.com/matter/abstract/S2590-2385(24)00338-2

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In the Člankarnica podcast, together with researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, we present interesting and accessible explanations of their latest discoveries, published in prestigious scientific journals. We invite you to follow us on social media and send us your questions, comments, and suggestions: https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#5 - Preprosti postopki za izboljšanje čiščenja odpadnih voda - Gregor Žerjav in Matevž Roškarič

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 02:00:18 GMT

V 5. epizodi podkasta Člankarnica nam dr. Gregor Žerjav in Matevž Roškarič, iz Odseka za anorgansko kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo na Kemijskem inštitutu, razkrivata kako so s pomočjo Simplex metode znatno povečali specifično površino grafitnega ogljikovega nitrida (g-C3N4), kar je izboljšalo njegove fotokatalitične lastnosti in učinkovitost pri razgradnji organskih onesnaževal. Ta študija dokazuje, da lahko preprosti enostopenjski sintezni postopki bistveno izboljšajo zmogljivost okolju prijaznih polprevodnikov. Članek je bil objavljen v znanstveni reviji ACS Catalysis: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.3c03394

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V podkastu Člankarnica vam skupaj z raziskovalci Kemijskega inštituta predstavljamo zanimive in razumljive razlage njihovih najnovejših odkritij, objavljenih v uglednih znanstvenih revijah. Vabimo vas, da nas spremljate tudi na socialnih omrežjih ter nam pošljete vprašanja, komentarje in predloge.

https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/

#4: Premagovanje izzivov v gorivnih celicah za zeleno mobilnost: Stabilen elektrokatalizator - Tina Đukić

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 02:00:30 GMT

#4: Premagovanje izzivov v gorivnih celicah za zeleno mobilnost: Stabilen elektrokatalizator - Tina Đukić

V 4. epizodi podkasta Člankarnica razkrivamo kako potekajo raziskave, ki vodijo do povečanja stabilnosti elektrokatalizatorjev za vodikove tehnologije. Ozadje raziskav nam je razložila Tina Đukić iz Laboratorija za elektrokatalizo (Odsek za kemijo materialov, D10). Članek je bil objavljen v reviji ACS Catalysis: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acscatal.3c06251

V pogovoru Tina Đukić povzema tudi dela objavljena v sledečih člankih: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acscatal.1c04205 https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/cc/d2cc05377b

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#3: Senzorji za Varnejši Svet - Jelena Isailović

Fri, 24 May 2024 02:00:20 GMT

V 3. epizodi podkasta Člankarnica razkrivamo kako poteka razvoj senzorjev za vodikov peroksid in kako takšni senzorji lahko prispevajo na področjih vse od ohranjanja kulturne dediščine do varnosti pred eksplozivi. Ozadje raziskav nam je razložila dr. Jelena Isailović. Pri raziskavah za članek je sodelovalo 10 sodelavcev iz Odseka za analizno kemijo, Odseka za katalizo in reakcijo inženirstvo na Kemijskem inštitutu, Fakultete za kemijo in kemijsko inženirstvo Univerze v Mariboru ter Oddelka za anorgansko kemijo iz Univerze za kemijo in tehnologijo v Pragi. Članek je bil objavljen v reviji ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces: https://www.ki.si/en/news/obcutljiv-elektrokemijski-senzor-za-plinasti-vodikov-peroksid/

#2: Oksidacija glukoze - Korak k bolj trajnostnim kemikalijam - Janvit Teržan

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 03:00:38 GMT

V 2. epizodi podkasta Člankarnica se razkrivamo korake kako priti do bolj trajnostnih kemikalij, kot je glukarna kislina. Ozadje raziskav nam je razložil dr. Janvit Teržan. Pri raziskavah za članek je sodelovalo 9 raziskovalcev iz Kemijskega inštituta, Inštituta Jožef Štefan ter Češke akademije znanosti. Članek je bil objavljen v reviji Applied Catalysis B: Environmental: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926337323010986

#1: Proteinski svet obvitih vijačnic - Ajasja Ljubetič

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 04:00:30 GMT

V 1. epizodi podkasta Člankarnica se podajamo v svet proteinov. Dr. Ajasja Ljubetič, načrtovalec oziroma inženir proteinov, nam je predstavil kako so prišli do sedaj največjega ortagonalnega seta obvitih vijačnic. Raziskave je poleg dr. Ajasje Ljubetiča vodil tudi prof. dr. Roman Jerala iz Odseka za sintezno biologijo in imunologijo na Kemijskem inštitutu. Delo je bilo opravljeno v sodelovanju z laboratorijem prof. Sri Kosurija v Univerzi v Kaliforniji, in je bilo objavljeno v reviji Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38697-x