1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your research area?
I am Carla Sardo, Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Salerno. My research focuses on pharmaceutical technologies and nanotechnologies for biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on drug and gene delivery systems, as well as tissue engineering.
In recent years, my work has specifically focused on the design of polymeric biomaterials for nucleic acid delivery and composite biomaterials for regenerative medicine. In this context, together with Prof. Giulia Auriemma, I am involved in the development of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, aiming to combine structural properties, bioactivity, surface functionalization, and therapeutic potential.
2. How did the contact with the partners involved in the collaboration begin? What role did NEOLAiA play in this process?
My collaboration with Prof. Viktoriia Holubnycha from Sumy State University began during a matchmaking session organized within the framework of the NEOLAiA Alliance. It was a highly effective opportunity to connect researchers with shared scientific interests but complementary areas of expertise.
During the meeting, we quickly identified a strong convergence between our research activities. On the one hand, our research group has extensive experience in the design of three-dimensional scaffolds, the selection of polymeric matrices, and their fabrication through additive manufacturing. On the other hand, Prof. Holubnycha brings solid expertise in the development and characterization of modified hydroxyapatites with antibacterial properties, as well as the capability to evaluate their performance under a range of experimental conditions, including models that simulate infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
NEOLAiA therefore played a key role in facilitating this initial connection and enabling us to identify our shared scientific interests, laying the foundation for a promising research collaboration.
3. What initiative or project emerged from this collaboration?
This collaboration has led to a research initiative focused on the development of composite biomaterials for bone tissue engineering with antibacterial properties. The idea is to combine three-dimensional scaffolds produced through additive manufacturing with bioactive components based on modified hydroxyapatite, which are capable not only of supporting bone regeneration but also of counteracting bacterial contamination.
This approach addresses a highly relevant issue in the field of implantable biomaterials: the need to develop devices that can promote tissue integration while at the same time reducing the risk of implant-associated infections. The collaboration enables this problem to be tackled in a multidisciplinary way, integrating expertise in pharmaceutical technology, biomaterials, additive manufacturing, physico-chemical characterization, and antibacterial activity assessment.
A particularly significant aspect is that this synergy quickly translated into a concrete project action, with the preparation and submission of an international grant proposal on the topic of antibiotic resistance, developed by myself and Giulia, and which also involves Viktoriia as a strategic partner.
4. What was the main added value of working with colleagues from other universities within the Alliance?
The main added value has undoubtedly been the complementarity of expertise. The collaboration with colleagues from another university within the Alliance has made it possible to broaden the scientific perspective of the project and to address a complex problem with a more comprehensive approach.
In our case, interaction with Sumy State University has enabled the integration of scaffold design and their production through additive manufacturing with specific expertise on modified hydroxyapatites and on antibacterial evaluation under advanced experimental conditions. This type of synergy is particularly important in the field of biomaterials, where the effectiveness of a system depends on the balance between mechanical properties, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and additional biological functionalities.
Another important added value has been the exchange with researchers working in different scientific and academic contexts. This has fostered a highly stimulating exchange of ideas and has made it possible to identify new directions for the development of the project.
5. What advice would you give to a researcher who has not yet taken advantage of the opportunities offered by NEOLAiA?
I would recommend actively participating in initiatives promoted by NEOLAiA, even when you do not yet have a clearly defined project. Opportunities such as matchmaking sessions are particularly valuable because they allow you to connect with colleagues working on related or complementary topics, opening up collaboration possibilities that would often not arise through traditional channels.
The value of these initiatives lies precisely in their ability to facilitate an initial exchange that helps identify compatible expertise, define a common goal, and progressively build a collaboration. For a researcher, especially in highly interdisciplinary fields such as biomaterials and pharmaceutical sciences, these opportunities represent a valuable tool for expanding one’s network, enhancing research quality, and developing international projects.
