Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.04 |
Natural Sciences |
Chemical sciences |
Water, solutions, polyelectrolytes, proteins, nucleic acids, surfactants, ionic liquids, associating molecules, microporous materials, thermodynamics, statistical themodynamics, molecular modelling, transport, light scattering, calorimetry, conductometry, spectroscopy
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 19, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
783 |
15,199 |
11,784 |
15.05 |
| Scopus |
777 |
15,942 |
12,455 |
16.03 |
Researchers (28)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The P1-0201 programme involves research that, through a combination of modern experimental and theoretical methods, enriches fundamental and applied knowledge in the field of physical chemistry, particularly the physical chemistry of liquids, solutions, and colloidal dispersions. The study and knowledge of the properties of liquids and their mixtures, especially aqueous solutions of hydrophobic, polar and ionic solutes (from simple electrolytes to complex biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids) is important from the point of view of many technological, industrial and pharmaceutical processes, as well as from the point of view of biochemical processes occurring in living organisms. Much of our research focuses on hydration and ion-specific effects in aqueous solutions. Water is a key player in many processes, but its role at the microscopic level is not fully understood. Water is also an ecological solvent and replaces organic solvents wherever possible. (i) We are developing statistical mechanical models of water that allow us to understand many anomalous properties of water, as well as models of hydration of hydrophobes and ions. (ii) Solutions of synthetic and natural polymers, especially polyelectrolytes, are studied experimentally and theoretically. (iii) A large part of the research is devoted to solutions of surfactants and the phenomenon of self-assembly in these solutions (micellization, vesicle formation). (iv) We study the phase stability of protein formulations (from globular to antibodies) and the role of co-solvents in these processes. We also focus on biomacromolecules in confined environments. (v) We are interested in the thermodynamic, kinetic and structural properties of the regulation of toxin-antitoxin modules and the non-canonical structures of nucleic acids. (vi) We are involved in chemoinformatics, methods of molecular modelling and pharmacophore modelling, and the development of software for distributive computing. We develop theoretical approaches to describe and interpret the results of our experimental research. The main goal is to understand the properties of matter at the molecular level. Each member of the group has an excellent knowledge in his/her research area, but at the same time our knowledge overlaps to such an extent that it allows us to successfully collaborate and thus increase the synergetic effect of the group.
Significance for science
The research outlined in programme P1-0201 is intended - with the aid of modern experimental techniques and theoretical methods - to enrich our basic knowledge of the physical chemistry of liquids, solutions and dispersions. Aqueous solutions of electrolytes and (bio)polyelectrolytes play an important role in science and technology. Ions, simple and complex, participate in vital processes in our organism. The role of water in these processes, although crucial, is not yet fully understood. The study of the stability of proteins (including monoclonal antibodies, which are an important class of biological drugs) in the presence of additives, the binding of drugs to proteins and nucleic acids, and the molecular modelling of these phenomena are important for the pharmaceutical industry, medicine, and bioengineering. The relevance of such research to biomedicine is manifested in a joint grant "Solvation modelling for next-gen biomolecule simulations" with Dr. Ken A. Dill (Stony Brook University, USA), funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Second, understanding the properties of electrolytes, polyelectrolytes, ionic liquids, surfactants, and colloids and their interactions with surfaces is of critical importance to industry and engineering. Members of the programme group publish their results in prestigious international journals such as Chem. Rev., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Nucleic Acids Res., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., J. Phys. Chem. B/C, Soft Matter, Macromolecules, Langmuir, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biophys. J., J. Mol. Biology, J. Mol. Liq, Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci., Electrochim. Acta, and others. We disseminate our research results at various international conferences and numerous foreign universities and institutes. We are involved in many bilateral grants that promote international research, and COST actions. We transfer knowledge to industry to help solve technological challenges. Members of the programme group are members of the editorial boards of Journal of Molecular Liquids (Elsevier, Prof. Dr. M. Bešter Rogač) and Condensed Matter Physics (ICMP, Prof. Dr. V. Vlachy), and Editor-in-Chief of Acta Chimica Slovenica (Prof. Dr. K. Kogej). We often participate as guest editors or members of the organizing committees of domestic and international conferences.
Significance for the country
The researchers of the programme group P1-0201 are members of the Chair of Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (University of Ljubljana). We participate in the implementation of more than 40 different teaching subjects in the field of physical chemistry and related sciences, which are attended by more than 1300 students from 6 different faculties every year. Most of the subjects also include laboratory exercises as chemistry is an experimental science. The members of the department emphasize on educational work and incorporate the results of our research in our lectures. While conducting research, the professor and his/her colleagues learn and pass on this knowledge to the students. Without good teachers, there is no good school, and without research, there are no good teachers. The group members are often rewarded by the students for our pedagogical work (award for best teacher of the year). We also led many ŠIPK and PKP projects, which allowed us to integrate research work and contact with industry into the school process itself. The programme group collaborates with industry. We work closely with our former students, especially PhDs who are employed in these companies. In this way, the group deepens theoretical and experimental knowledge in the field of physical chemistry and transfers it to undergraduate and graduate students as well as to industrial practice. The researchers also contribute to the consolidation of national identity and cultural heritage by increasing Slovenia's recognition in the world. One way is to be mentors for students who are very successful on the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). Members participate in the international master's programme in chemistry (Bologna 2nd level) in cooperation with the University of Strasbourg, France. This is a double degree programme. Research published in prestigious international journals and presented at conferences and foreign universities/institutes strengthen the reputation of the Republic of Slovenia as well.
