EUNICE Summer School on Bioinspired Chemistry: from Materials to Sustainable Development
On September 8-12, 2025, a summer school “Bioinspired Chemistry: from Materials to Sustainable Development” was held for the first time at the Faculty of Chemical Technology (FCT), Poznan University of Technology within the EUNICE project.
It was a great pleasure to host 11 young researchers from the University of Cantabria (Spain), the University of Montpellier/University of Mons (France/Belgium), and from the Poznan University of Technology (Poland) for five days. During this time they learned, discussed, created projects, and discovered how nature-inspired chemistry can change the world – from nanomaterials, medical biomaterials to sustainable technologies.
The program included 7 lectures delivered by professors from four EUNICE partner universities and a guest expert from the NanoBioMedical Centre, Adam Mickiewicz University:
1. Prof. Salvatore Guccione (University of Catania, UNICT) – Drug Repositioning by Virtual Screening
2. Prof. Cristina Satriano (UNICT) – Nanozymes in Action: Tiny Tools for Big Challenges in Medicine and the Environment
3. Prof. Pascal Gerbaux (UMONS) – Probing (Artificial) Enzymes with Mass Spectrometry: Structure, Function, and Beyond
4. Dr. Sébastien Mouchet (UMONS) – Bioinspired Photonics: Nature-Inspired Strategies for Sustainable Solutions
5. Dr. Fernando Pardo (UC) – Sustainable Membrane Fabrication via Green Solvents and Nature-Inspired Strategies
6. Prof. Marta Woźniak-Budych (UAM NanoBioMedical Centre) – Nanomaterials in Medicine: Balancing Functionality and Safety
7. Dr. Katarzyna Adamska (PUT) – Smart and Functional – Exploring the World of Biomaterials
In addition, students participated in:
• 3D printing workshops for medical applications (supervised by prof. Tomasz Osmałek and dr Anna Froelich at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences),
• a study visit to Phytopharm Klęka, a pharmaceutical company specializing in plant-derived medicinal products.
Teamwork was a central element of the school: students worked in 2–3 person international groups on creative projects in bioinspired chemistry, presenting their outcomes in a final competition. The topics included:
• Nanomaterials in Health: Improving cancer therapy
• Bioinspired catalytic systems for water treatment
• Rational design of β-DNA polymerase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease
• Sustainable nanostructured materials for water and electronic waste pollution
• Bioinspired self-healing materials for biomedical use
Nadia El Arroubi El Arroubi (UC), Marcel Pawlikowski (PUT) and David Navarro Tumar (UC) won the project competition with their project on 'Bioinspired self-healing materials for biomedical use'. Congratulations!
Alongside scientific activities, students and academics enjoyed cultural and social events, such as a guided city tour of Poznan, a campus game, and a traditional regional dinner – fostering integration and intercultural exchange.
We are grateful to all who made this summer school such a valuable and memorable experience! Thank you for your efforts and time.
We invite you to view the photo gallery from the event, here.