We are proud to announce the winners of the 1st RIANA Project Innovation Contest: Dr. Simona Bianco and Dr. Jakub Jagielski!

The contest aimed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Junior Scientists, challenging participants to develop innovative business plans and solutions in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Dr. Simona Bianco presented a project that offers a bottom-up approach to the design of peptide-based hybrid materials enhanced with nanofillers, as well as the development of novel methods for their in situ characterisation at the MAX IV Laboratory. These innovative materials are engineered to function as stimuli-responsive soft actuators for applications in soft robotics and flexible sensors.

Dr. Jakub Jagielski presented the project “Bioactive Lipid Cuboplexes: A Novel Synergistic Strategy for Resensitising Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.” The work focuses on a multifunctional system designed to disable bacterial defence mechanisms, specifically efflux pumps. This strategy aims to resensitise resistant bacteria to antibiotics that had previously lost their efficacy, thereby restoring their therapeutic effectiveness.

Congratulations to the winners!