Prof. Dr hab. Piotr Skowron and Dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, prof. UG, have won the “Modern materials technologies - TECHMATSTRATEG" competition, which is part of the Strategic programme for scientific research and development work by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR).
Prof. Piotr Skowron, head of the Department of Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Gdańsk’s Faculty of Chemistry has received funding from the National Centre for Research and Development to the amount of 25.82 million PLN for the implementation of the project entitled “Next-generation systems for providing bioactive molecules in chemically synthesised and genetically modified nanobiomaterials” (acronym: BIONANOVA). The project will be jointly implemented with the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and a biotechnology company Innovabion Sp. z o.o. The UG’s budget stands at 16.31 million PLN.
The project took second place ex-aequo amongst 12 positively assessed grant applications and is aimed at devising a new method for the construction of next-generation nanobioparticles with a very high concentration of bioactive ligands – peptides and proteins. A dynamic development of nanotechnology provides technical possibilities impossible through the use of conventional materials. Nanotechnology is currently embracing an area based on biological nanostructures which offers the possibility of a technological leap in medicine and biotechnology. The objective of this interdisciplinary project is to devise (through methods incorporating genetic engineering, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry and chemical synthesis) self-organised biodegradable nanobiomaterials as carriers of bioactive ligands of an unprecedented concentration, even several thousand bioactive molecules in a single nanoparticle. The nanobiostructures devised in this way will find wide application in medicine, biotechnological industrial processes, environmental protection and remediation and scientific research. Three classes of nanobiostructures of very high ligand density will be constructed as part of the project.
Dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, prof. UG from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk, is part of a scientific consortium (leader: Institute of Ceramics and Building Materials), which has received 6.92 million PLN for the implementation of the project entitled "Multifunctional composite material with antimicrobial and pro-regenerative properties for the reconstruction of bone tissue GlassPoPep". Project partners, alongside the University of Gdańsk, include Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and the company SensDx S.A. The UG’s budget amounts to 1.75 million PLN.
The project aims to devise and produce biologically active material which would replace bone loss and act as a cell matrix and at the same time help in the regeneration of damaged tissue. The application of such biomaterial will greatly accelerate the healing process and eliminate a number of post-operative complications. The value of the biomaterials market is estimated at $42 billion in annual sales with an annual trend rate of growth of about 15-18%. The rapid growth in this sector is connected with its positive influence on the quality and length of human life. Biomaterials are of great significance to regenerative medicine, in bone reconstruction for example, and are undergoing constant improvement, especially when it comes to integration with body tissues and their ability to regenerate tissue.
