Projects / Programmes
Samo-sestavljivi nanomateriali na osnovi proteinskih ovitih vijačnic (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.06 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
Biochemical engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.07 |
Natural Sciences |
Other natural sciences |
Researchers (7)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
29065 |
Matevž Avbelj |
Biotechnology |
Technical associate |
2009 - 2012 |
7 |
| 2. |
33301 |
Tibor Doles |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Technical associate |
2010 - 2012 |
41 |
| 3. |
07731 |
PhD Jožefa Friedrich |
Biotechnology |
Head |
2009 - 2012 |
184 |
| 4. |
17915 |
PhD Helena Gradišar |
Biotechnology |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
130 |
| 5. |
06628 |
PhD Roman Jerala |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
1,190 |
| 6. |
23939 |
PhD Martina Mohorčič |
Biotechnology |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
30 |
| 7. |
17281 |
Irena Škraba |
|
Technical associate |
2009 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
21,007 |
Significance for science
Importance of the research results for the development of science is evident from the strategic documents in Slovenia as well as in the European Union. The proposed research coincides with two lines, which are in the European 7th Framework Programme (Cooperation) among the priorities: biotechnology (Activity 2.3 Life sciences, biotechnology and biochemistry for sustainable non-food products and processes) and nanosciences (Activity 4.1 Nanosciences and nanotechnologies). In addition, synthetic biology is placed among the Emerging trends in biotechnology. The research coincides also with two areas that are in the Slovenian Resolution on National R&D Programme identified as particularly promising: Advanced (new) synthetic metal and non-metal materials and nanotechnologies, and Health and life sciencies.
The relevance of the project results is first of all in the evaluation of the potential of the revolutionary approach for design of protein bionanomaterials and their biotechnological production. Results of the project lead to new scientific knowledge with application value and therefore, we first protected them in four patent applications, then we published the results in international scientific literature and at the scientific meetings. New discoveries and knowledge about the possibility of de novo synthesis of a variety of new protein structures and about their potential functionalization are interesting also for broader scientific audience. In the long term we can expect development of a completely new group of bionanomaterials. The produced innovative functional materials can be applicable in various fields such as medicine, pharmacy, chemical engineering, electronics etc.
Significance for the country
The highest relevance of the project results for the economy and the society we see in the development of highly specialized knowledge that is available for users from the fileds such as pharmacy, medicine and chemistry for solving real problems. Within the project we explored – by using an innovative approach - the possibilities for the designed production of nanoparticles with predefined structure and new features, which resulted in new products with high added value for the so-called Knowledge-Based Bioeconomy (KBBE). In Slovenia, this area of the preparation of nanomaterials was not covered until we started our project four years ago. However, in the world, intense research is underway in this area, mainly in the USA, in mostly developed European countries and in Japan. This is a strategically very important area, since it is known that in the field of nanotechnology many patents overlap and it is important, who first discovers new types of nanostructures. Our new discoveries and knowledge may finally lead to new materials with high added value, with different, predetermined functionalities for different fields of application. Examples of application of such materials with new properties are in the field of pharmacy, where the nanoparticles based on proteins would enable a new way for drug delivery by means of biocompatible molecules. Nanoparticles could perform controlled release of drugs under certain conditions, protection of the active substance against the digestive enzymes; they could target the drug in the body and lead to concentration and controlled release of active substances in diseased tissue, e.g. cancer tissue. We can expect that nanoparticles on the basis of biological molecules will have a higher biocompatibility, and consequently they will have less adverse effects than antimicrobial nanoparticles based on silver, which in humans cause inflammation, or than nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, which are presumably associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
The continuation of the researc will represent increased competitiveness of Slovenian biotech companies and will eventually result in establishing new spin-off companies, which in turn may lead to new jobs for the biotechnologically educated staff. In addition to economic performance, new materials, implemented in the appropriate products, may serve to improve the quality of life. Indirectly, new knowledge, new methods and materials help to promote Slovenia through publication of our results in international scientific literature and presentations at international scientific meetings.
The research project was also important in terms of education of highly qualified and specialized personnel, since many diploma students and young researchers were involved in researches.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
