Understanding and developing innovative polymeric and hybrid materials lies at the core of our project. By combining materials science, biology, and 3D engineering, we aim to advance regenerative strategies for patients affected by severe injuries and chronic diseases, conditions in which the body is unable to fully restore complex tissues such as brain and bone. Our research integrates advanced biomaterials with 3D printing technologies to fabricate biocompatible scaffolds for neural applications, as well as bioactive and mechanically robust structures for bone and cartilage regeneration. Within the REGEN-3D TISSUE project, particular attention is devoted to PEEK-based biomaterials, valued for their excellent biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, chemical and thermal stability, and radiolucent properties.

Additive manufacturing offers the possibility to design patient-specific implants with tailored architectures and controlled porosity, enhancing tissue integration and regenerative performance. In this context, 3D-printed PEEK-based materials represent a highly promising platform for the future of personalized regenerative medicine.

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Hypoxia is a hallmark of poorly vascularized pathological tissues and severely limits the efficacy of conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT), both of which depend on oxygen availability and functional cellular metabolism.

The ORACLE project aims to develop an innovative cyclodextrin-polymer (CDP) nanoplatform capable of overcoming hypoxia-related therapeutic resistance through the co-delivery of multiple orthogonal agents. The designed nanoparticles will integrate: i) oxygen-releasing agents (ORAs) acting as controllable oxygen reservoirs activated by external stimuli such as light or ultrasounds; ii) photosensitizers enabling PDT combined with sonodynamic (SDT) or photothermal therapy (PTT); and iii) clinically approved chemotherapeutic drugs. Thanks to the supramolecular properties and biocompatibility of CDPs, the system is expected to provide controlled delivery, enhanced therapeutic synergy and improved treatment efficacy in hypoxic solid tumors, including breast cancer and osteosarcoma.

ORACLE ultimately proposes a versatile strategy to restore and potentiate oxygen-dependent clinical therapies.

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A new generation of more efficient and durable lighting sources must be developed to meet the European Union’s ambitious goal of increasing energy efficiency by 27% by 2030. Since lighting accounts for nearly 20% of the EU’s electrical energy consumption, adopting more efficient lighting solutions is crucial. Solid-state lighting (SSL) sources, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Organic LEDs (OLEDs), are emerging as next–generation systems for general illumination.

The Lefko-Phoς d-f project aims to develop single-molecule white-light-emitting dyads by mixing complexes belonging to both the d- and the f-block. These materials would feature bridged bimetallic systems combining blue or sky-blue emissive iridium(III) complexes and f-metal complexes from europium(III) (red) and dysprosium(III) (yellow); a modified phenyl-oxadiazole bridging unit will serve as the connector. This novel approach would maximise the chances to get electronically uncoupled dyads in reality, leading to white-emissive active materials for OLEDs.​

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SWIFT aims to apply a disruptive approach to water management, developing technological innovations for modular field camps designed for personnel in remote settings.

The project focuses on emerging water reuse concepts and advanced technologies, including graphene-based treatment and photocatalytic processes, to ensure clean and safe water for those in challenging operational environments. This approach aims to reduce logistical burdens and enhance self-sufficiency.

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The main objective of this project is to develop effective strategies for the functionalization of plastic waste generated during the industrial production of polymeric membranes (polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and polyvinyl fluoride).

The project aims to improve the physicochemical and surface properties of these materials to enable their reuse in high-value applications. In particular, the functionalized materials will be assessed for biomedical uses, such as filtration and immunoadsorption, as well as for environmental applications, including water treatment. Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to circular economy practices by transforming industrial plastic waste into valuable functional materials.

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The post ASTROTALK first appeared on CNR-ISOF.

The project aims to prepare phthalocyanine-based supramolecular frameworks formed through host-guest interactions, assessing and modulating photoinduced energy and electron transfer processes to develop promising materials for artificial photosynthesis. The novelty of the approach resides in developing the first host-guest supramolecular frameworks constructed exclusively from phthalocyanine units and comprehensively investigating the photoinduced processes occurring within these assembled architectures.

We target molecular frameworks exhibiting useful photoinduced properties, functioning as light harvesters, photosensitizers and catalysts, toward artificial photosynthesis applications for a sustainable energy transition.

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The main objective of Bicyclos is to bring cyclodextrins (CD) and their derivatives closer to practical applications by implementing a virtuous process that sustains eventual exploitation at industrial level.

In clinical applications we want to launch some cyclodextrins as new API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), commonly more known as «drugs», and others as delivery systems of already known drugs or therapeutic nucleic acids. We also plan the release of new biosensors made of cyclodextrin for diagnostic purposes.

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NO-CANCER-NET is a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network Training programme to address unmet medical need for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). The network will train 10 doctoral candidates (DCs) across 6 European countries and 9 institutions, focusing on three areas centered on expanding nitric oxide (NO) based therapeutics for the treatment of TNBC. The main goal of NO-CANCER-NET is to equip DCs with experience and knowledge of the interdisciplinary expertise required to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics for areas of unmet clinical need.

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The project is coordinated by CNR-ISOF, with CNR-IPCB, University of Bari (UNIBA) and University of Maryland as project partners.

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