National Tsing-Hua University

Nanoclusters (NCs) of transition metals like cobalt or nickel have widespread applications in drug delivery and water purification, with smaller NCs exhibiting improved functionalities. Downsizing NCs is, however, usually challenging. Now, scientists have demonstrated functional NC formation with atomic-scale precision. They successfully grew cobalt NCs on flat copper surfaces using molecular arrays as traps. This breakthrough paves the way for advancements like single-atom catalysis and spintronics miniaturization. Nanoclusters (NCs) are crystalline materials that typically exist on the nanometer (10-9 m) scale. They are composed of atoms or molecules in combination with metals like cobalt, nickel, iron, and platinum, and have found several interesting applications across diverse fields, including drug delivery, catalysis, and water purification. A reduction in the size of NCs can unlock additional potential, allowing for processes such as single-atom catalysis. In this context, the coordination of organic molecules with individual transition-metal atoms shows promise for further advancement in this field. An innovative approach to further reduce the size of NCs involves introducing metal atoms into self-assembled monolayer films on flat surfaces. However, it is crucial to exercise caution in ensuring that the arrangement of metal atoms on these surfaces does not disrupt the ordered nature of these monolayer films. Now, in a recent study featured in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Dr. Toyo Kazu Yamada from the Graduate School of Engineering at Chiba University, along with Masaki Horie from the Department of Chemical Engineering at National Tsing Hua University, Satoshi Kera from the Institute for Molecular Science, and Peter Krüger also from the Graduate School of Engineering at Chiba University, have showcased the surface growth of cobalt atoms on molecular ring arrays at room temperature. Talking to us about this advancement. Dr. Yamada says, "This advanced method of functional nanocluster formation with atomic-scale precision can be utilized in the development of highly efficient catalysts or in quantum computing." In the study, the team used ring-shaped molecular structures called "crown ethers," which contain benzene and bromine rings. These structures were used to trap and grow cobalt NCs on flat copper surfaces. The resulting cobalt NCs were of two sizes, 1.5 nm and 3.6 nm. To understand their properties and structure further, various techniques were employed, including low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS), angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) with low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The analysis revealed the formation of stable surface sites to which the cobalt atoms could attach. In addition, the formation of these stable surface sites was found to be influenced by the electronic hybridization (mixing) between the crown ethers and cobalt. Once the cobalt atom was trapped, it acted like a nucleation center, attracting other cobalt atoms to form an NC. Additionally, unlike the usual behavior of crown ether molecules in solution, these molecules did not trap the metal atom at the center of the crown ring. Instead, the metal atom was at the edge, because of the presence of bromine atoms at that location. Discussing the long-term potential of these findings, Dr. Yamada says, "The use of this approach in applications such as single-atom catalysis, miniaturization of spintronics media, and quantum computing will contribute to the development of an information-based society in a way that reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) production." In summary, the team successfully demonstrated the growth of cobalt NCs by exploiting the trapping potential of two-dimensional crown ether molecules on a copper surface. The chemical behavior of the crown ether molecules deviated from typical interactions observed in solution, by trapping cobalt atoms at the edge, and not the center. Importantly, the method demonstrated effective and large-scale production of NCs with well-defined size and morphology at room temperature.

30% more tumor biomarkers identified by AI analysis of 3D imaging vs. traditional 2D methods, per biotech startup's latest research Attended industry-defining European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 to present latest compelling research on AI and 3D pathology for immunotherapy CEO Dr. Yen-Yin Lin was a key speaker at the 2023 TAITA-Silicon Valley Annual Conference, where he shared that 40% of cancer patients can benefit from AI-analyzed 3D pathology SANTA CLARA, Calif. and HSINCHU, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JelloX Biotech Inc., a Taiwan-based startup focused on cancer pathology, is announcing new research and conference milestones, coinciding with its 5th anniversary in November 2023. With significant parts of the medical field starting to leverage AI for pharmaceutical R&D and patient risk assessment, JelloX continues to distinguish itself as an early adopter of AI applied to cancer pathology. To explore JelloX's AI-powered 3D pathology solutions, please contact: [email protected] Continue Reading JelloX presentation at 2023 ESMO- Precision breast cancer PD-L1 diagnosis using 3D pathology and AU analysis. Advancing immunotherapy at ESMO Congress 2023 An influential conference in the European oncology space, ESMO Congress 2023 took place from October 20 to 24 and featured significant dialogue around the latest advancements in immunotherapy (IO), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and AI. Invited to present, JelloX's unique application of AI in 3D pathology for cancer drew significant interest from attendees, and its latest research demonstrated new possibilities for biomarker-based patient screening prior to IO treatments. Specifically, its new findings focused on breast cancer and PD-L1 biomarker, a key diagnostic target for immunotherapy: The study showed that AI analysis of 3D images was able to identify an additional 30% of patients with tumor heterogeneity that traditional 2D methods missed, necessitating more precise immunotherapy treatments. Findings reinforced that AI analysis of 3D images allows for a more comprehensive understanding of tumor complexity and heterogeneity, thereby facilitating more accurate treatment. A new AI algorithm introduced for the study demonstrated that AI is also a powerful tool for analyzing digitalized traditional (2D) sample imaging by reducing processing times. AI at 2023 TAITA-SV Annual Conference The Silicon Valley Taiwanese-American Industrial Technology Association (TAITA-SV) held its Annual Conference on October 7, where Dr. Yen-Yin Lin, CEO of JelloX, was featured as the only Taiwan-based speaker on the Bio panel. Dr. Lin shared insights on the role of AI in medicine and healthcare, particularly how JelloX is leveraging this technology — along with 3D imaging — to advance cancer pathology diagnosis and precision treatment. "We estimate that 40% of cancer patients can benefit from AI-analyzed 3D pathology, especially those undergoing immunotherapy," noted Dr. Lin. "Leveraging AI to analyze 3D tumor imaging has great potential to disrupt oncology, through offering a more efficient and precise approach to treatment." JelloX's 3D pathology addresses the low sampling rate issue common in cancer biopsies, offering a more comprehensive evaluation of a tumor's many biomarkers. He continued: "When it comes to cancer diagnosis and treatment, precision is paramount and efficiency is everything. Our solutions are critical to matching the right patients to the right drugs and to identifying suitable candidates for pharmaceutical research." Dr. Lin also highlighted the growing importance of cloud and edge devices in the future of pathology, emphasizing their roles in enabling mobile and remote usage. He shared further how JelloX is collaborating with technology firms to analyze and leverage big data, working towards a federated learning model that can be shared by oncologists worldwide — creating a collaborative, informed global community united in the fight against cancer. About JelloX Biotech Inc. Based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, JelloX Biotech Inc. is a startup founded by researchers from National Tsing Hua University and focuses on advancing cancer pathology through 3D digital imaging and AI technology. For more information, please visit: Media contact : [email protected] SOURCE JelloX Biotech Inc.

Kaohsiung Medical University to build $300M smart hospital in Taiwan Kaohsiung Medical University has announced its NT$10 billion ($320 million) investment to build a smart hospital in the Taoyuan Aerotropolis. The hospital, which will initially have a bed capacity of 515, will "introduce the latest medical technologies, develop telemedicine capabilities, and utilise AI and big data research outcomes to… enhance the quality of healthcare." Based on a press release, the upcoming hospital will focus on cancer treatment, critical care, and integrated care for chronic diseases. It will also provide preventive medicine, community healthcare, clinical medicine, and home healthcare, as well as offer comprehensive outpatient, emergency, and inpatient services. Additionally, it will have 39 medical sub-specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics, among others. KMU has signed a BOT contract with the National Tsing Hua University, to which the operation and ownership of the hospital will be transferred after 50 years. The first phase of the hospital's construction will begin next year and is expected to be completed by 2028. In the future, its bed capacity will be raised by close to a thousand. The smart hospital is being constructed as part of the 7.2-hectare NTHU Taoyuan Medical and Educational R&D Park project. AIIMS Delhi rolls out state-developed Sandes internal comms app The All India Institute Of Medical Sciences in New Delhi has implemented a government-developed messaging platform to streamline communication among hospital staff. Called Sandes, the app will be used primarily for internal communications at AIIMS Delhi, including the secure and fast exchange of patient records, a news report noted. Through Sandes, the hospital seeks to achieve better connectivity, quicker information sharing, and seamless collaboration among departments and staff. The app was developed by the National Informatics Centre for government offices. Metropolis Healthcare launches WhatsApp chatbot for doctors Metropolis Healthcare, a chain of pathology labs and diagnostic centres in India, has developed a WhatsApp chatbot for doctors. Aiming to enhance doctor-provider communication, Metropolis introduced the said chatbot to allow doctors to conveniently access medical information, such as test availability, methodology, sample transport guidelines, turnaround time, sensitivity, specificity and cost. They can also upload patient prescriptions and receive prompt guidance from Metropolis for testing processes. The chatbot also includes CME modules to help doctors keep abreast of industry updates. Metropolis targets to reach over 100,000 doctors in the first year of the rollout of the chatbot, according to a news report .