1
Who we are
The Division of Functional Polymer Nanomaterials (FPN) operates within the Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter at the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences. FPN is led by Professor Filippo Pierini, who established the Division in 2024.
Our research encompasses a broad range of topics, unified by a shared focus on innovative approaches that apply nanotechnology principles in polymer-based systems. At FPN, we conduct cutting-edge studies that bridge fundamental academic research with real-world biomedical applications.
2
Mission statement
Our mission is to explore and elucidate the structure and function of polymer-based nanomaterials, building the fundamental knowledge required to drive innovation in material science and its applications. Through interdisciplinary research, we aim to design and develop functional polymers that utilize nanotechnological principles to tackle critical challenges in biomedicine, sustainability, and advanced materials engineering.
3
What we do
missing
4
Research Interest:
Micro and nano-structuration of materials
missing
Biomaterials development
We design advanced biomaterials based on electrospun fibers, 3D-printed structures, and hydrogels, utilizing both synthetic and natural polymers. Our research focuses on applications such as wound healing, the treatment of atopic skin conditions, and the targeted delivery of drugs and cells. To develop smart biomaterials, we integrate plasmonic nanoparticles and thermoresponsive components to fabricate stimuli-responsive platforms. By incorporating nature-derived materials, applying “green” chemistry approaches, and employing laser structuring techniques, we enhance the biocompatibility, architecture, and mechanical performance of our biomaterials.
-
Du J.#, Rybak D.#, Su Q., Wang Q., Yuan Q., Gao J., Wang Y., Nakielski P., Wang X.*, Pierini F.*, Yu J., Li X.* and Ding B. „Sprayable Photothermal Fiber-Embedded Hydrogels to Engineer Microenvironment for Infected Wound Healing”, Advanced Functional Materials, 2501242, 2025.
-
Rybak D.#, Du J.#, Nakielski P., Rinoldi C., Kosik-Kozioł A., Zakrzewska A., Wu H., Li J., Li X., Yu Y., Ding B.* and Pierini F.* „NIR-Light Activable 3D Printed Platform Nanoarchitectured with Electrospun Plasmonic Filaments for On-Demand Treatment of Infected Wounds”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2404274, 2024.
-
Bartolewska M., Kosik-Kozioł A., Korwek Z., Krysiak Z., Montroni D., Mazur M., Falini G. and Pierini F.* „Eumelanin-Enhanced Photothermal Disinfection of Contact Lenses Using a Sustainable Marine Nanoplatform Engineered with Electrospun Nanofibers”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2402431, 2024.
-
Kosik-Kozioł A., Nakielski P., Rybak D., Frączek W., Rinoldi C., Lanzi M., Grodzik M. and Pierini F.* „Adhesive Antibacterial Moisturizing Nanostructured Skin Patch for Sustainable Development of Atopic Dermatitis Treatment in Humans”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16 (25) 32128-32146, 2024.
-
Nakielski P.*, Rybak D., Jezierska-Woźniak K., Rinoldi C., Sinderewicz E., Staszkiewicz-Chodor J., Haghighat Bayan M. A., Czelejewska W., Urbanek O., Kosik-Kozioł A., Barczewska M., Skomorowski M., Holak P., Lipiński S., Maksymowicz W. and Pierini F.* „Minimally Invasive Intradiscal Delivery of BM-MSCs via Fibrous Microscaffold Carriers”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15 (50), 58103-58118, 2023.
Sustainable materials
We explore sustainable materials derived from natural and renewable sources, focusing on their unique functional properties. Our research focuses on transforming biowaste and bio-derived compounds into high-performance materials with intrinsic antibacterial, antioxidant, and photothermal functionalities. Combining green chemistry, bio-inspired strategies, and advanced processing techniques, we aim to replace conventional polymers with bio-based alternatives that meet the demands of modern applications. In the field of functional surfaces and nanostructured biomaterials, we specialize in light-responsive systems for biomedical applications.
-
Bartolewska M., Kosik-Kozioł A., Korwek Z., Krysiak Z., Devis M., Mazur M., Giuseppe F., Pierini F.*, “Eumelanin-Enhanced Photothermal Disinfection of Contact Lenses Using a Sustainable Marine Nanoplatform Engineered with Electrospun Nanofibers”, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2402431, 2024.
-
Zargarian S., Kupikowska-Stobba B., Kosik-Kozioł A., Bartolewska M., Zakrzewska A., Rybak D., Bochenek K., Osial M., Pierini F.*, Light-responsive biowaste-derived and bio-inspired textiles: Dancing between bio-friendliness and antibacterial functionality, Materials Today Chemistry, 41, 102281, 2024.
-
Zakrzewska A., Kosik-Kozioł A., Zargarian S., Zanoni M., Gualandi C., Lanzi M., Pierini F.*, “Lemon Juice-Infused PVA Nanofibers for the Development of Sustainable Antioxidant and Antibacterial Electrospun Hydrogel Biomaterials”, Biomacromolecules, 26(1), 654–669, 2025.
-
Bartolewska M., Kosik-Kozioł A., Arif A., Nakielski P., Pierini F.*, “Natural Melanin: A Multifunctional Biopigment for Advanced Biomedical Applications” Progress in Biomedical Engineering, 2025.
-
Zakrzewska A., Nakielski P., Truong Yen B., Gualandi C., Velino C., Zargarian S., Lanzi M., Kosik-Kozioł A., Król J., Pierini F.*, ““Green” Cross-Linking of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-Based Nanostructured Biomaterials: From Eco-Friendly Approaches to Practical Applications”, WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, 17(3), e70017, 2025.
-
Zargarian S., Zakrzewska A., Kosik-Kozioł A., Bartolewska M., Shah S., Li X., Su Q., Petronella F., Marinelli M., De Sio L., Lanzi M., Ding B., Pierini F.*, Advancing resource sustainability with green photothermal materials: Insights from organic waste-derived and bioderived sources, Nanotechnology Reviews, 13(1), 20240100, 2024.