Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BioMat4CAST (BIOMAT4CAST - PETRU PONI INSTITUTE OF MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY MULTI-SCALE IN SILICO LABORATORY FOR COMPLEX AND SMART BIOMATERIALS)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-03-01 bis 2025-11-30
The primary goal of the BioMat4CAST Project is to catalyse and support high-quality research at the "P. Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (ICMPP) by establishing a robust research group specializing in computational chemistry. To achieve this ambitious objective, the BioMat4CAST Management Team together with Prof. Aatto Laaksonen the ERA Chair holder, has agreed on a plan that prioritizes three key areas:
(i) BioMat4CAST Human Resource Management (WP2),
(ii) BioMat4CAST Research Management (WP3),
(iii) BioMat4CAST Sustainability Management (WP4).
Building upon this plan, a series of five work packages have been devised. While two of these packages focus on administrative tasks (WP1 – Management and WP5 – Dissemination and Communication), the remaining three are aligned closely with the proposed key areas: WP2 – Human Resource Management, WP3 – BioMat4CAST Research Project, and WP4 – BioMat4CAST Sustainability Management.
(i) BioMat4CAST Human Resource Management (WP2),
(ii) BioMat4CAST Research Management (WP3),
(iii) BioMat4CAST Sustainability Management (WP4).
Building upon this plan, a series of five work packages have been devised. While two of these packages focus on administrative tasks (WP1 – Management and WP5 – Dissemination and Communication), the remaining three are aligned closely with the proposed key areas: WP2 – Human Resource Management, WP3 – BioMat4CAST Research Project, and WP4 – BioMat4CAST Sustainability Management.
During the first reporting period of the BioMat4CAST project (M1–M15), the main focus was on establishing the scientific, managerial, and organizational foundations necessary for the successful implementation of the ERA Chair initiative.
This phase included the recruitment of the BioMat4CAST ERA Chair Holder, Prof. Dr. Aatto Laaksonen, and the definition and implementation of the project’s core strategic tools, namely the Scientific and Management Plan, the Data Management Plan, the Dissemination and Communication Plan, and the Sustainability Plan.
In parallel, the BioMat4CAST research group was created through targeted staff recruitment, supported by the acquisition of essential IT infrastructure, research equipment, and other assets required for the newly established team. Initial training activities and networking actions were also carried out, enabling the group to become operational by the end of the first reporting period and to start building its internal capacity and external connections.
Building on this solid foundation, the second reporting period (M16–M36) focused on consolidating, expanding, and fully deploying the BioMat4CAST team as an independent and visible research entity. This stage was marked by the recruitment of the BioMat4CAST ERA Team Leader, Prof. Dr. Ana-Nicoleta Bondar, as well as additional young researchers (PhD students), further strengthening the team’s human resources and scientific potential.
The main implementation tools developed during the first period were updated and refined to reflect the expanded team structure and evolving project needs. Throughout this period, the BioMat4CAST group engaged extensively in advanced training activities, scientific research, dissemination and communication actions, international mobility, participation in major conferences, and the organization of scientific workshops, round tables, and networking events.
At the same time, specific measures were implemented to reinforce the long-term sustainability of the team, building on the Sustainability Plan established in the first period and identifying new integration and funding opportunities. As a result, during the second reporting period the BioMat4CAST group operated as a fully functional and mature research team, while laying the groundwork for future activities aimed at increased visibility, strengthened networking, and long-term sustainability within the international scientific community.
In the upcoming implementation periods, the BioMat4CAST team aims to focus on networking and activities aimed at ensuring the group’s long-term sustainability. We also intend to dedicate equal effort to initiatives that enhance the group’s visibility and strengthen its recognition within the scientific community.
This phase included the recruitment of the BioMat4CAST ERA Chair Holder, Prof. Dr. Aatto Laaksonen, and the definition and implementation of the project’s core strategic tools, namely the Scientific and Management Plan, the Data Management Plan, the Dissemination and Communication Plan, and the Sustainability Plan.
In parallel, the BioMat4CAST research group was created through targeted staff recruitment, supported by the acquisition of essential IT infrastructure, research equipment, and other assets required for the newly established team. Initial training activities and networking actions were also carried out, enabling the group to become operational by the end of the first reporting period and to start building its internal capacity and external connections.
Building on this solid foundation, the second reporting period (M16–M36) focused on consolidating, expanding, and fully deploying the BioMat4CAST team as an independent and visible research entity. This stage was marked by the recruitment of the BioMat4CAST ERA Team Leader, Prof. Dr. Ana-Nicoleta Bondar, as well as additional young researchers (PhD students), further strengthening the team’s human resources and scientific potential.
The main implementation tools developed during the first period were updated and refined to reflect the expanded team structure and evolving project needs. Throughout this period, the BioMat4CAST group engaged extensively in advanced training activities, scientific research, dissemination and communication actions, international mobility, participation in major conferences, and the organization of scientific workshops, round tables, and networking events.
At the same time, specific measures were implemented to reinforce the long-term sustainability of the team, building on the Sustainability Plan established in the first period and identifying new integration and funding opportunities. As a result, during the second reporting period the BioMat4CAST group operated as a fully functional and mature research team, while laying the groundwork for future activities aimed at increased visibility, strengthened networking, and long-term sustainability within the international scientific community.
In the upcoming implementation periods, the BioMat4CAST team aims to focus on networking and activities aimed at ensuring the group’s long-term sustainability. We also intend to dedicate equal effort to initiatives that enhance the group’s visibility and strengthen its recognition within the scientific community.
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2.J. Biol. Chem. (2023) 299(8) 104970; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104970(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
3. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 389, 2023, 122828; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2023.122828(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
4. J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 4, 3018–3038, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02190(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
5. Molecules 2024, 29, 772. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040772(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
6. Low Temp. Phys. 50, 204–214 (2024); DOI: 10.1063/10.0024969
7. J Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 3659-3675; DOI: 10.1039/D3TB02654J
8. Drug Delivery 2024, vol. 31, NO. 1, 2388624; https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2024.2388624(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
9. J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 11968-11982;. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB01775G(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
10. ChemistryOpen 2025, 14, e202400365 (1 of 8); doi.org/10.1002/open.202400365
11. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2025, 70, 1, 19–43; https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jced.4c00505(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
12. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 332 (2025) 125828;https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2025.125828
13. Med.Chem.2025,68,1863−1882; https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02586(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
14. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 322, Part 2, 2025, 146754, ISSN 0141-8130, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.146754(öffnet in neuem Fenster).
15. Chemical Engineering Journal; Volume 523, 1 November 2025, 167673 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.167673(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
16. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (trimisa 23rd of July 2025); European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 107248; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2025.107248(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
17. Biomacromolecules 2025, 26, 9, 6244–6257; https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01217(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
18. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.27.645784v2.full(öffnet in neuem Fenster)