The Faculty of Science at Charles University proudly celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art AFM/SEM laboratory. The event, held as part of the Techscale project, was attended by a number of distinguished guests who underscored the importance of local and international partnerships in research and innovation. These new advances will reinforce the well- established Czech-British scientific collaboration, among others.

On 16 December 2024, the inauguration of the new Dean of the Faculty of Science of Charles University took place in the Patriotic Hall Karolina. From the hands of the Rector of Charles University, Prof. Milena Králíčková, he received the appointment decree of the biologist doc. RNDr. Ing. Vladimír Krylov.

The Rector of Charles University Milena Králíčková awarded four personalities with commemorative medals of Charles University. She presented them to the laureates at this year's last meeting of the Scientific Council of Charles University on Thursday 12 December. The gold medal was awarded to Professor Jan Černý and the silver medal to Dr Lenka Libusová, both from the Department of Cell Biology.

Using an innovative approach, an international team of scientists including ethologists, chemists, neuroscientists, anthropologists, and developmental, cognitive, and health psychologists will study the importance of the newborn's sense of smell for the successful initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. We asked three leading scientists on this new project, Prof. Craig Roberts from the University of Stirling, Prof. Jan Havlíček from the Faculty of Science, Charles University, and Prof. Benoist Schaal from the Centre for Smell, Taste and Food Science in Dijon, about the aims of the new project and its practical applications.

In her research, she delves into the origins of life on Earth. What keeps her awake at night are the 20 amino acids that have formed the building blocks of proteins in all organisms since the very beginning—from the simplest life forms to humans. How would life look if the identity of these amino acids changed? Could life even emerge under such circumstances?

On Friday, November 29, 2024, the BASF competition for the best diploma thesis in chemistry programs took place in the Chemistry Library of the Faculty of Science of Charles University.