As a by-product from the wood and paper industries, millions of tonnes of lignin – which provides an important support function in the cells of woody plants – are accumulated worldwide each year. Although widely available, this renewable resource is only rarely used to produce other materials. Now, though, the new Better BioBased Polymer (B3PO) research and education network – with Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in a coordinating role – is working to develop polymers from lignin and other plant by-products, aiming to replace oil-based plastics. Funded within the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks programme, B3PO will be launched in January 2026. The European Commission is providing EUR 4.3 million in funding over four years.

Researchers are using molecular motors as a new tool for medical intervention to target and destroy cancer cells. These light-activated molecular motors are nanometer-sized machines that can apply mechanical forces from within cells to target and selectively disrupt cancerous activity.