Meetings and Training
A lecture by Dr Sagar Biswas
On Wednesday, 13 December 2023, Dr Sagar Biswas gave a lecture titled “Exploring the Opportunity of Ionic Gels and Liquids towards Nanobiocatalysis”. The lecture was a part of the scientific seminars organised by the Institute of Plant Genetics PAS. Its major focus was to explain the bridge between chemistry and nanobiotechnology.
Dr Sagar Biswas.
The audience gathered at the Institute of Plant Genetics PAS.
Legal framework of IP rights in nanotechnology
On November 30, 2023, the first IPR seminar was held, organized within the framework of the EU-funded NANOPLANT project.
The meeting was opened by Prof. Franklin Gregory, then Mr. Dobrzanski discussed the plan of his presentation. The first part comprised of basic concepts of patent law, exclusions from patent protection and patent application requirements. Subsequently, after a lunch break, our speaker presented the issues in the field of different patenting procedures and bio-chem-med inventions – specific issues. The next part of the meeting was devoted to a question and answer session, in which the attendees took an active part. The meeting was ended by a discussion between our guest, the Project Manager, the ERA Chair Holder and the Innovation Specialist, aimed at determining the scope of further cooperation.
Prof. Franklin Gregory opening the meeting and introducing the speaker (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Mr. Jan Dobrzański presenting the issues related to legal framework of IP rights (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Participants of the seminar posing for a souvenir photo (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Mr. Jan Dobrzański, Prof. Franklin Gregory, Dr. Dibyendu Mondal and discussion between our guest, the project manager, the ERA Chair holder and M.A. Joanna Dutkiewicz discussing the scope of cooperation (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Training on NanoDrop™
On October 10, 2023, a representative from Thermo Fisher Scientific, conducted a training on NanoDrop™ One Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer from Thermo Scientific™. The Spectrophotometer is designed for analyzing very small sample volumes such as DNA, RNA and protein, typically in the microliter range, using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. It has a unique Innovative Acclaro™ Sample Intelligence technology, inbuilt for improved measurement accuracy and contaminant identification. The sample quantity and quality can be determined in seconds and provides a full-spectral data prior to downstream applications. Moreover, its advanced capability to allow internet connectivity, cloud data storage and export, printing and sharing will facilitate optimal data handling as well as enhanced integration within the NANOPLANT laboratory information systems. The NanoDrop™ One Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer therefore, supplements the array of other advanced research instrumentation within the NANOPLANT project to elevate the scope of the ongoing research.
The NanoDrop™ One Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer from Thermo Scientific™ (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Training on the application of NanoDrop™ One Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer in one of the NANOPLANT laboratories within the department (photo courtesy of M.S., IPG PAS).
Members of the department following a demonstration by Ms. Paulina Patalas-Krawczyk on the application of the Spectrophotometer (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Training on Ultra Freezer
On September 20, 2023 the staff from Kendrolab Warsaw Poland conducted a training on the use of the newly acquired Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezer TSX Series from Thermo Fisher Scientific™.
The ULT freezer has the capacity to attain optimal low temperature security, quick recovery, and reliable validation, designed for validated environments in production and biobanking applications. Powered by a V-drive propulsion system and with ease of easy remote monitoring, the TSX series presents the most advanced technologies that are pivotal to the NANOPLANT project in the area of safe-storage of research materials within the laboratory. Moreover, the ability of TSX to offer connections through cloud-based platform will enable real-time performance monitoring for better alerts into the equipment’s health for the research material safety. The attendees of the training stemmed from within the department and the scientists at the IPG PAS who are working with biological samples that require stable deep-freezing temperatures.
Mr. Tomasz Filipek and Artur Tomaszewski from Kendrolab conducting training on the application of the Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezer at the department (photo courtesy of G.M., IPG PAS).
Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezer TSX Series from Thermo Fisher Scientific™ (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Training on TXRF Spectrometer
On September 19-20, 2023, the staff from Jan Kochanowski University (UJK), Kielce Poland conducted a training on the use S2 PICOFOX transportable TXRF spectrometer from Bruker Analytics, for ultra-trace element analysis. The TXRF spectrometer is the newest in the market with a potential for conducting fast multi-element trace analysis, at highest analytical sensitivity and accuracy for science. Different metal ions present in various matrices like nanoparticles, plant cells, plants parts, soils, and nanoformulations will be analyzed using TXRF. This advanced instrument will support highly innovative and groundbreaking research within the NANOPLANT project. The training was attended by all members engaged in research on elemental analysis and especially scientists at the IPG PAS.
Dr. IIona Stabrawa and Ms. Karol Szary from UJK Kielce conducting training in the IPG PAS seminar room (photo courtesy of G.M., IPG PAS).
Members from the IPG PAS following a demonstration by staff from UJK Kielce on the application of TXRF spectrometer in one of the laboratories within the IPG PAS (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
S2 PICOFOX transportable TXRF spectrometer for ultra-trace element analysis (photo: Bruker Analytics).
IAB Meeting
On September 11-13, 2023, the second meeting of the International Advisory Board (IAB) took part. On the first day the Project Coordinator presented the achievements of NANOPLANT, then the ERA Chair Holder outlined the vision and scientific excellence of the Department of Plant Nanotechnology. Later in the meeting the Innovation Specialist, the PR Specialist and the Lab Manager presented the overall performance of the NANOPLANT project. After questions and discussion the IAB members visited our laboratories and collaborators laboratories at the IPG PAS. The Director and Deputy Director for Research were also present. The professors Robert Malinowski and Arkadiusz Kosmala interacted with the IAB members and explained their research and laboratory facilities. On the second day of the IAB meeting, the scientific research progress of the NANOPLANT project was presented by the team members and the highlight was the presentation of our interns. Our former postdocs Dr. Mónia Martins and Dr. Meena Bisht presented their research performed during their association with the NANOPLANT. Following the presentations, the IAB members met the Director of IPG PAS, the ERA Chair Holder and the Project Coordinator to discuss the sustainability of the project. The second meeting of the International Advisory Board was successfully concluded on September 13, 2023. We are very grateful to all IAB members who devoted their time to advise us on the sustainability of the NANOPLANT project.
First day of the IAB Meeting – presentation by Dr. Dibyendu Mondal, the ERA CHair Holder (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Second day of the IAB Meeting – presentation by Dr. Mónia Martins (photo courtesy of L.V., IPG PAS).
Visit to the collaborators laboratories (photo courtesy of F.G., IPG PAS).
Last day of the IAB Meeting – discussion and preparation of report (photo courtesy of F.G., IPG PAS).
Third lecture for PhD students
As part of the EU funded NANOPLANT project (GA 856961) lecture series for PhD students, the third part under the title “Nanotechnology scope and application in plants” will take place on December 8, 2022 at 9.00 am (Warsaw). The lecture will be given by Dr. Leonard Kiirika (Senior Researcher, NANOPLANT) and it will briefly cover: (1) mechanisms during plant-nanomaterials-microbe interactions; (2) methods in nano-biotechnology (3) practical session in plant nanotechnology laboratory.
Training - spectrophotometer
On December 7, 2022 we took part in a training program in the field of operation and use of circular dichroism (CD) spectrophotometer. The representative of ABL&E-Jasco Polska Company demonstrated the device at NANOPLANT lab.
Mr Dariusz Wlaź from JASCO company explaining the work of spectrophotometer (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
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JASCO spectrophotometer (photo courtesy JASCO).
Second lecture for PhD students
The second part of the lecture series for PhD students in the EU funded NANOPLANT project (GA 856961) under the title “Nanotechnology scope and application in plants” took place on November 29, 2022 at 9.00 a.m. presented by Dr. Leonard Kiirika, a Senior Researcher in the Department of Nanotechnology, IPG PAS. The lecture covered the following areas: (1) application of nanotechnology for improvement of horticultural crops; (2) uptake and translocation of nanomaterials during plant growth; (3) mechanisms underlying the plant-nanomaterials interactions and (4) utilization of nano-based probes for plant monitoring.
We thank all those who participated in the interactive talk and we look forward to meeting again in the third series which will be announced soon.
Introductory lecture for PhD students
As part of the EU funded NANOPLANT project (GA 856961) lecture series for PhD students, the introductory lecture was given on November 17, 2022 by Dr. Dibyendu Mondal (ERA Chair holder, NANOPLANT) on “Nanomaterials: synthesis and task-specific applications”. The lecture briefly covered the following topics: (1) different protocols for the synthesis of nanomaterials (physical, chemical and green synthesis methods), (2) analytical tools for characterization of nanomaterials, (3) application of nanomaterials in agriculture (non-fertilizers, nano-pesticides and nano-assisted gene delivery), (4) effects of size, shape, and surface charge of nanomaterials on crop productivity.
Presentations on plant nanotechnology by other members of the NANOPLANT team are planned for the near future in this series for PhD students.
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2nd IAB Meeting
The second project review meeting was held on November 15, 2022 via Zoom. We thank the Project officer from the EU, External expert, the members of International Advisory Board, collaborators, and the director of the Institute of Plant Genetics PAS for making the meeting successful.
Participants of the second project review meeting – screenshot from ZOOM platform (photo courtesy of M.M., IPG PAS).
IAB Meeting
Prof. Eva Čellárová (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice), a member of the NANOPLANT International Advisory Board, visited the IPG PAS on September 22-23, 2022. On 22, September 2022 the meeting was held at the IPG PAS in a hybrid mode. All team members attended the meeting either in person or virtually. The meeting started with an introductory session on the goals of the project by the project coordinator. The ERA chair holder Dr. Dibyendu Mondal, presented the vision of the Department of Plant Nanotechnology and explained the activities of the team. Dr. Monia Martins (Senior Postdoc) and Dr. Leonard Kiirika (Senior Researcher) presented their research findings on the development of nanoformulations and assays in plants, respectively. Following these presentations, the IAB member discussed project activities and achievements with the project coordinator and team. On September 23, 2022, Prof. Eva Čellárová visited the laboratories and facilities where the nanoplant experiments are conducted.
Prof. Eva Čellárová, the deputy director of research of the IPG PAS and NANOPLANT team members participating in the meeting (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Prof. Eva Čellárová visited the NANOPLANT lab and greenhouse, where plant nanotechnology experiments are in progress (photo courtesy of
F. G., IPG PAS).
Seminar on nanoparticles
On July 13, 2022 Mr. Adam Sajnóg (Department of Trace Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland) led a seminar entitled “Analysis of nanoparticles in plants”.
Members of the NANOPLANT Team follow up a seminar in the conference room at the IPG PAS Poland (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Dr. Adam Sajnóg from Adam Mickieiwcz Univeristy, Poznań, Poland (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Seminar - spectrophotometer application
On July 8, 2022 a representative of LABSOFT Company gave a talk and demonstrated the use of spectrophotometer in nanotechnology and especially in plant science. The event was attended by all who were interested in elemental analysis and especially scientists at the IPG PAS.
Michał Kużdżał presents spectrophotometer application (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Members of the NANOPLANT Team follow up a talk in the conference room at the IPG PAS Poland (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Research visit to the Baltic Sea
On June 30, 2022 the NANOPLANT Team conducted fieldwork at the Baltic Sea (Sopot) to collect seaweed samples for extraction of nanoparticles. Different species of algae were collected which are now subject of research at the department.
Seaweed algae species collected at the Baltic sea coast (photo courtesy of D.M., IPG PAS).
Members of the NANOPLANT Team pose for a photo after two days of collecting seaweed pushed at the coastline by the water tides (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Research and training opportunities for students
Get acquainted with our research and training offer aimed at students interested in the topics. For more information please contact us: nanoplant@igr.poznan.pl
Invited Talk by Dr. Dibyendu Mondal
On May 13, 2022 the Era Chair Dr Dibyendu Mondal visited the Adam Mickiewicz University where he gave a talk entitled: “Designing protein nano-construct: An alternative strategy to improve stability and activity against environmental stress”. The meeting was attended by different members of the department, technical and students. The visit was organized by ou collaborator, Prof. Jan Brezovsky from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland).
Dr. Dibyendu Mondal’s presentation (photo courtesy of D.M., IPG PAS).
Dr. Dibyendu Mondal and Prof. Jan Brezovsky (photo courtesy of D.M., IPG PAS).
Research visit to Portugal
On May 3, 2022 the Era Chair Dr Dibyendu Mondal representing the Department of Plant Nanotechnology, IPG PAS visited the University of Aveiro in Portugal where he gave a talk entitled: “A Journey from Chemical Science to NANOPLANT: The Learning Curve”. The meeting was attended by different members of the department, technical and students.
Dr. Dibyendu Mondal’s presentation (photo courtesy of D.M., IPG PAS).
Members of the University of Aveiro in Portugal participate in Dr. Dibyendu’s talk (photo courtesy of D.M., IPG PAS).
Seminar - electron microscope
On April 13, 2022 we organized a seminar in the field of operation and use of an electron microscope. During the meeting we could see how to prepare samples for an electron microscopy analysis.
Mr Łukasz Remez from PIK Instruments company and seminar participants (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
Electron microscope (photo courtesy of PIK Instruments).
Training - partcicle size analyzer
On January 21, 2022 we took part the particle size analyzer workshop. We had a chance to watch the device during its operation.
Mr Damian Grzywiński from Anton Paar company explaining the work of particle size analyzer to NANOPLANT Team (photo courtesy of M.G., IPG PAS).
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Particle size analyzer.
Training positions are available in the following research fields for short term:
1. Development of smart nano-fertilizers
2. Nanosensors for online plant monitoring
3. Nanomaterials towards enhancing secondary metabolites productions in plant
4. Nanozymes as an alternative stress mitigation systems in plant
5. Improving stability and activity of plant-based enzymes by nanoencapsulations
6. Effect of neoteric solvents in plant