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Phages – A dual solution to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Crisis

Phages – A dual solution to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Crisis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing global health threats of our time, directly causing and contributing to millions of deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Beyond the human toll, the economic impact is staggering. By 2050, AMR could add $1 trillion in healthcare costs annually and slash global gross domestic product (GDP) by up to $3.4 trillion per year by 2030. But amidst these daunting figures, a beacon of hope has appeared – bacteriophages (phages). In an era where AMR poses one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, phages, viruses that specifically target bacteria, represent a revolutionary alternative to traditional antibiotics. A recent milestone in this field has been Portugal’s approval of customised bacteriophage therapies in hospital settings, setting Portugal to be only the third European country, alongside Belgium and France, to approve until now a guiding regulation for these new therapies (INFARMED, I.P. deliberation No. 112/CD/2024, November 15, 2024) for complex bacterial infections. This decision aligns closely with INL’s cutting-edge research on phages.  Dr. Sanna Sillankorva, a tenured staff researcher from the Bañobre Research Group at INL has been instrumental in this progress. Her work focuses on isolating and […]

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FORGING Workshop Series: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in Brussels 

FORGING Workshop Series: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in Brussels 

This week, Brussels became the epicenter of innovation and collaboration as FORGING hosted its highly anticipated three-day workshop series. The event gathered over stakeholders from academia, industry, policymaking, and civil society, all united by a shared mission to advance enabling technologies for a sustainable future. FORGING reimagines traditional innovation by focusing on human-centered technologies aligned with Industry 5.0 principles. It moves beyond efficiency and productivity, emphasizing technology’s positive societal impact. By leveraging 6 Technological Pathways, FORGING identifies use cases to accelerate the adoption of responsible and sustainable solutions. The workshops explored transformative topics critical to shaping the future of Industry 5.0, including: Real-Time Based Digital Twins; Simulation Technologies; and Human-Machine Interaction Technologies. A standout moment was the expert pitch by Ensieh Iranmehr, INL Staff Researcher, who presented on “Non-Invasive Tool Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Using High-Sensitive Spintronic Sensors.” Her presentation highlighted how cutting-edge sensing technologies are driving industrial innovation and sustainability. Co-organized with APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea, the workshops offered a unique platform for participants to co-design use cases for emerging technologies. From exploring the potential of haptic technologies and e-skin sensors to leveraging predictive maintenance and cognitive digital twins, the sessions emphasized actionable solutions and cross-sector collaboration. As a hub of European collaboration, Brussels offered the ideal setting for the workshops, reinforcing the project’s mission to bridge the […]

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FRONTHS1P Project General Assembly Inspires Progress

FRONTHS1P Project General Assembly Inspires Progress

On December 5th and 6th, the FRONTHS1P General Assembly convened in the vibrant city of Bolzano, hosted by the University of Bozen-Bolzano at the NOI Techpark Alto Adige. This pivotal event brought together all Work Package leaders to review the project’s progress, share updates, and plan the next steps for achieving its ambitious goals. A standout feature of the gathering was the visit to the University laboratories, where attendees had the opportunity to witness groundbreaking advancements, including the combustion chamber and gasifier testing. These demonstrations highlighted the innovative work driving FRONTHS1P’s mission forward, showcasing the potential of sustainable solutions in action. FRONTHS1P is a transformative initiative based in the Łódzkie region of Poland, a region with a unique dual identity: historically reliant on coal extraction but also a trailblazer in circular (bio)economy since the early 2000s. Over the next four years, the project aims to lead the Łódzkie region through a green and just transition, moving away from a linear economic model toward one rooted in sustainability. Central to this vision are four Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS), each targeting critical sectors: Wood Packaging; Food & Feed; Water & Nutrients; and Plastic & Rubber Waste. These CSS are designed for decarbonization […]

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Pedro Silva, Innovating Sustainable Food Solutions through Nanotechnology

Pedro Silva, Innovating Sustainable Food Solutions through Nanotechnology

Pedro Silva, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), has dedicated his career to exploring the intersection of bioengineering, nanotechnology, and sustainable food systems. In this interview, he shares his journey, the challenges of dispelling myths about nanotechnology, and his vision for a healthier, more sustainable future in food science. What inspired your journey and led you to join the Pastrana Research Group at INL? When I started my PhD in Food Science, the Food Processing and Nutrition Group, led by Lorenzo Pastrana, seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand my expertise in food personalization via the use of micro-nano encapsulation technologies aiming at the development of functional food ingredients. Under the supervision of Miguel Cerqueira, I had an amazing four years at INL, where I explored the use of electrohydrodynamic processing to develop functional ingredients, validated them with in vitro testing, and explored their sensory impact, in an international collaboration with University of Gent. Later, I jumped on the opportunity to join as a postdoctoral researcher in the VIIAFOOD project, which focuses on the development of sustainable and intelligent food packaging solutions. If you could address one misconception about nanotechnology in food, what would it be? […]

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INL Hosts H2 Green Valley Agenda WP4 Meeting Focused on Hydrogen and Green Energy

INL Hosts H2 Green Valley Agenda WP4 Meeting Focused on Hydrogen and Green Energy

On December 3rd, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) welcomed project teams from INL, Instituto Superior Técnico, and HyLab for a pivotal meeting under the H2 Green Valley Agenda’s Work Package 4 (WP4) – Transversal R&D. The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts driving innovation in hydrogen and green energy technologies. During the event, participants explored INL’s state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining valuable insights into the research and development efforts focused on energy, particularly hydrogen and green energy solutions. The teams also engaged in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge, sharing their experiences and the outcomes of specific projects in the hydrogen sector. The day concluded with a focused working session addressing the ongoing tasks and objectives of work package within the context of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), ensuring alignment and progress toward the agenda’s overarching goals. This meeting underscored the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing green hydrogen technology. The H2 Green Valley Agenda continues to contribute to a sustainable energy future, with INL playing a central role in fostering innovation and partnership in this transformative sector.

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Diana Alves’ Journey: Pioneering Superhydrophobic Coatings for Sustainability

Diana Alves’ Journey: Pioneering Superhydrophobic Coatings for Sustainability

We are thrilled to have Diana Alves with us today. Diana joined the Kolen’ko’s Group at INL as a Research Fellow in February 2022, where her groundbreaking work focuses on developing paint functional additives based on nanomaterials with hydrophobic properties. Diana’s journey in science began with a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minho in 2011. Her international experiences include pivotal research stints at the University Medical Centre of Groningen and Innocore Pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands. She later pursued a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, also at the University of Minho, focusing on functionalizing biomaterials to impart antimicrobial properties. During this time, she collaborated with the prestigious Messersmith Research Group at Northwestern University in the USA. Her postdoctoral and junior research years further showcased her versatility, as she delved into areas such as bacteriophage encapsulation for food safety and antimicrobial coatings for medical devices. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey and groundbreaking research! 1. Your career has taken you from Portugal to the Netherlands and the USA, working with institutions like Innocore Pharmaceuticals and Northwestern University. How have these international experiences shaped your approach to research and innovation?” Both international experiences – first in the Netherlands […]

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Nanoscale analysis with DNA-graphene origami

Nanoscale analysis with DNA-graphene origami

In a recently published study in Advanced Materials Interfaces, INL researchers have developed a new sensor that merges DNA origami with graphene to achieve unique accuracy in detecting molecular motion. Nieder’s group at INL, together with Alpuim’s group (INL) and Thorsten-Lars Schmidt  (Kent State University), developed this innovative sensor that could have significant potential for applications in medicine and environmental monitoring. The sensor combines DNA origami structures and a graphene layer functionalised to interact with fluorescent markers. These markers emit light, and their fluorescence behaviour – specifically its duration – changes based on their proximity to the graphene. By applying electrical signals, researchers can control this distance, enabling them to track movements as small as two nanometres. “The novelty here is that we can actually gate the graphene and sense the effects of this electrostatic approach in the fluorescent behaviour of the fluorophores,” explains João Azevedo, first author of the study. The team used Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), a technique that measures the time fluorescence lasts, to achieve this high-resolution sensing. Unlike traditional fluorescence intensity methods, FLIM is less affected by photobleaching, a process where fluorescent markers lose their ability to emit light after prolonged exposure. By focusing on lifetime […]

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Denis Santos explores the critical role of sensors in ensuring safety and efficiency within the H2 Green Valley Agenda

Denis Santos explores the critical role of sensors in ensuring safety and efficiency within the H2 Green Valley Agenda

At INL, innovation is at the core of our mission to address global challenges. Dr. Denis Santos, a Research Engineer in the Piteira Research Group since 2023, is advancing sensor technology with applications ranging from biomedical fields to energy systems. In this interview, Denis Santos explores the critical role of sensors in ensuring safety and efficiency within the H2 Green Valley Agenda, Portugal’s leading green hydrogen initiative. He discusses how working on large-scale projects shapes innovation, balancing cutting-edge research with market needs, and emphasizes the importance of public trust in the scalability of hydrogen systems. With experience at CERN, Denis Santos offers a unique perspective on transforming research into real-world applications through industry partnerships and technology transfer. His work highlights the power of collaboration in building a sustainable, safe energy future. Dive into this interview to learn how advanced sensor technologies are shaping the path toward a greener tomorrow. In what ways could your work in sensors contribute to monitoring safety and efficiency in the green hydrogen value chain for the H2 Green Valley Agenda? Hydrogen holds great promise in both the stationary and transportation energy sectors since no harmful emissions are produced during its combustion and it is generally considered […]

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INL Hosts “Empowering Research Careers: HRS4R & CoARA in Focus”

INL Hosts “Empowering Research Careers: HRS4R & CoARA in Focus”

Last Thursday, November 14th, 2024, INL brought together leading experts in research governance, HR strategy, and leadership for a day-long event entitled “Empowering Research Careers: HRS4R & CoARA in Focus”. The event provided an opportunity for participants to delve into the impact of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and the European Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) on research careers, while fostering meaningful discussions about leadership and professional growth. The morning session opened with a warm welcome and a thought-provoking lineup of guest speakers: with Isabelle Halleux, Head of the Project Management Office at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), highlighted the transformative impact of HRS4R on researchers and their careers; Barbora Wahlová, an HR Strategy Consultant, presented insights into employee assessment as a pathway to career advancement, sharing strategies for supporting researchers’ professional development; Miklós Gyorffi provided an overview of CoARA and its potential influence at INL, setting the stage for future engagements with this European initiative; and Bruno Béu, representing the Portuguese National Chapter of CoARA, offered a closer look at the national-level implementation and its relevance to INL. A roundtable discussion moderated by Lorena Diéguez followed, allowing speakers to answer specific questions about the […]

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