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.
PUT had a great pleasure to host 11 young researchers from the University of Cantabria (Spain), the University of Montpellier (France), University of Mons (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:
- Salvatore Guccione (University of Catania, UNICT) – Drug Repositioning by Virtual Screening
- Cristina Satriano (UNICT) – Nanozymes in Action: Tiny Tools for Big Challenges in Medicine and the Environment
- Pascal Gerbaux (UMONS) – Probing (Artificial) Enzymes with Mass Spectrometry: Structure, Function, and Beyond
- Sébastien Mouchet (UMONS) – Bioinspired Photonics: Nature-Inspired Strategies for Sustainable Solutions
- Fernando Pardo (UC) – Sustainable Membrane Fabrication via Green Solvents and Nature-Inspired Strategies
- Marta Woźniak-Budych (UAM NanoBioMedical Centre) – Nanomaterials in Medicine: Balancing Functionality and Safety
- 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.
