News

Poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) as a Versatile Platform for Functional Polymer Design

Poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) (PIPOx) has recently emerged as a central component of a versatile post-polymerization modification platform, currently based on direct and indirect reactions of PIPOx with carboxylic acids and thiols to afford a wide range of functionalized polymethacrylamides (Macromolecules 2025, 58, 2125−2134; Macromolecules 2025, 58, 12011−12025). Despite these advances, the full synthetic potential of PIPOx remains unexplored. In this project, the student will investigate new modification strategies for PIPOx, gaining hands-on experience in modern polymer synthesis and characterization, while contributing to the development of novel multifunctional polymers with broad application potential.

Surface-Initiated Polymerization and Post-Functionalization of Poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) Brushes for Biomedical Interfaces

Surface-initiated polymerizations have emerged as a powerful strategy for tailoring surface properties in biomedical applications. This project will be focused on i) the synthesis of well-defined poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPOx) brushes via copper-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (SI Cu-RDRP) method and ii) post-polymerization modification of PiPOx brushes through ring-opening reactions of 2-oxazoline side groups. A systematic post-polymerization modification with functional carboxylic acids and thiols under various experimental conditions will be explored and evaluated towards biomedical and bioanalytical applications.

Nanotubular materials from natural polymers for medical applications

In the area of self-assembled high-performance materials, successful preparation of biodegradable/bioresorbable nanotubes is still in its infancy. The aim is complex study based on our recent original finding of bottom-up formation of unique tubular fibrils (HF) via self-assembly of natural polymer precursors. The research will consist of two palalell, mutually interacting ways being: a) Development of HF and deep understanding of self assembling processes and creation of models of self-ordering performance b) Highlighting the potential of HF for unique so far impossible medical applications together with radical upgrade of existing systems/materials.

Nature-Inspired Anisotropic and Tough Nanocomposite Hydrogels

This project aims at developing smart nanocomposite hydrogels reinforced with bio-derived 1D nanofillers, mainly with cellulose derivatives or with chitin–glucan complexes (CGC, from fungal cell walls). Their anisotropic architecture will be inspired by natural fibrous tissues. The 1D fillers are expected to introduce directionality to the mechanical properties, as well as to the stimulus-responsiveness of these gels. The mechanical strength, the force and the rate of stimulus-response still present major limitations of the currently known hydrogel actuators. The nanofillers will be surface-modified by paramagnetic ions or nanoparticles, in order to facilitate their magnetic-field-induced alignment during gel synthesis. The polymer matrices will be based on hydrophilic networks such as PNIPAm and copolymers, as well as on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Biodegradable polymer systems based on thermoplastic starch with natural deep eutectic solvents

Starch-based materials are promising sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived polymers. However, the conversion of natural starch into thermoplastic starch (TPS) is limited due to strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding within starch granules, which requires the use of low molecular weight plasticizers. Conventional plasticizers such as glycerol lower the gelatinization temperature but still require relatively high processing temperatures to get highly homogeneous TPS. In this project, we plan the systematic investigation of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) as alternative plasticizers for TPS. The work will comprise preparation and characterization of TPS systems plasticized with selected ternary NADES formulations. NADES–starch interactions will first be evaluated, followed by the preparation of TPS samples with the most promising plasticizers. The TPS samples will be characterized by light and electron microscopy (to verify homogeneity), X-ray diffraction (to investigate crystalline structure changes), rheological and thermomechanical methods (to study thermomechanical behavior at various temperatures). The results will help to design homogeneous TPS materials that can be processed at lower temperatures. The processing at lower temperatures will lead to energy savings (important for technical applications) and lower thermomechanical damage of admixtures, such as antibiotics (important for biomedical applications).

Synthesis and Characterization of Photo-Crosslinkable Poly(amino acid) Hydrogels for 4D Bioprinting

Join our team to develop the next generation of materials for tissue engineering. This project moves beyond static 3D printing into 4D bioprinting, where printed structures evolve over time. You will design and synthesize synthetic poly(amino acid) hydrogels capable of photo-induced crosslinking.
The goal is to create a "smart" matrix that protects cells during the printing process and subsequently supports tissue formation through tunable mechanical properties and degradability.

What you will gain:

• Expertise in polymer synthesis and hydrogel formulation.
• Experience with characterization of soft matter.
• Interdisciplinary knowledge at the interface of chemistry and biology.

Who should apply: Students with chemistry knowledge (organic/macromolecular) who are curious about biochemistry and regenerative medicine.

Lanthanide-based nanoparticles for in vitro/in vivo bioapplications

Light-responsive NaYF₄ host-based lanthanide nanoparticles are a highly topical subject, particularly for imaging biological tissues and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. Such particles show unique spectroscopic properties, such as large Stokes and/or anti-Stokes shifts, long luminescence lifetimes, and narrow emission bands. Thermal decomposition techniques allow the synthesis of uniform nanoparticles and the regulation of their size. Depending on the choice of the lanthanide ions, the particles exhibit up- and/or downconversion of light. The work is focused on tuning nanoparticle properties in terms of size, luminescence intensity, adsorption and emission maxima, and/or magnetic properties to make them suitable for in vitro/in vivo bioimaging or drug delivery systems. The second part of the work will focus on the synthesis of new coatings that will improve the colloidal and chemical stability and dispersibility of nanoparticles in an aqueous environment, suppress possible degradation, and possibly enable the targeting of particles to cell organelles or specific tissues. At the same time, these coatings will prolong the circulation of particles in the bloodstream and enable conjugation with photosensitizing compounds to generate reactive radicals for cancer treatment using PDT. This will be achieved by using various hydrophilic compounds, e.g., acrylic polymers bearing reactive groups to enable modification with carbodiimide or click chemistry. The properties of resulting polymer-coated nanoparticles will be analyzed by dynamic light scattering and fluorometry and in collaboration with other departments of the Institute (TEM, GPC, NMR, biological experiments).

Polymer colloids as specialized carriers for intranasal transport of biologically active substances

The project is focused on the development, synthesis and characterization of novel polymer particles in colloidal form for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes via intranasal administration. The particles will be prepared by heterogeneous polymerisation techniques (dispersion or precipitation) and the main polymerisation reaction will be based on an aromatic substitution mechanism. Bioanalogic substances derived from aromatic structures of plant and animal origin will be used as monomers. The influence of reaction conditions on the morphology and composition of polymer particles and other physicochemical parameters determining the behaviour of polymer particles in biological environments will be studied. Subsequently, the particles will be derivatized for their detection using preclinical imaging methods so that their biodistribution and pharmacokinetics can be monitored after intranasal administration. Biological testing of the particles will be performed at the collaborating departments of the UEM CAS and the 1st Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University. The aim of this collaboration is to describe how the composition and morphology of the particles from the new polymer types affects the mechanism of each type of intranasal delivery further into the body. The researcher will be based in the laboratories of the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry at the BIOCEV Biotechnology Centre.

Microfluidic Self-Assembly of Polymer and Block Copolymer Systems for Advanced Biomimetic Structures

Advanced biomimetic structures are versatile synthetic models for studying biomembrane responses to environmental factors (e.g., pH, temperature) as a function of membrane composition and phase state. Their size (1–100 μm) allows direct visualization by microscopy, enabling observation of membrane dynamics at the cellular scale. These structures are typically prepared from lipids, block copolymers, and lipid–polymer hybrids using electroformation or microfluidic double-emulsion techniques. Our goal is to combine the flexibility and biocompatibility of lipids with the chemical versatility of synthetic polymers, while leveraging the simplicity of electroformation and the robustness of microfluidics. The resulting self-assembled structures will be characterized using scattering techniques (laser difraction, SAXS, etc.) and advanced microscopy (SEM, TEM, cryo-TEM and confocal microscopy). Their performance will then be evaluated in in vitro and in vivo models, mimicking physiological conditions with balanced and imbalanced microenvironments for applications in controlled drug release, stimuli-responsive biomimetic membranes, and synthetic bioreactors.

Architecturally Tuned, Responsive Block Copolymers Labeled with TEMPO: From Synthesis to EPR-Guided Nanostructure Analysis

Stimuli-responsive amphiphilic block copolymers that react to external cues such as pH and temperature have garnered growing interest for applications in drug delivery, biosensing, and nanotheranostics. This project focuses on the synthesis, and characterization of a series of responsive block copolymers featuring diverse macromolecular architectures, prepared via controlled/living polymerization techniques. To enable site-specific investigation of polymer dynamics and self-assembly behavior, the copolymers will be covalently labeled with the stable nitroxide radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) at defined chain-end or side-chain positions. Upon dispersion in aqueous media, these copolymers are expected to self-assemble into core–shell nanoparticles, with their morphology and size tunable by both the polymer architecture and environmental conditions such as pH and temperature. To explore the nanoscopic properties of these assemblies such as segmental mobility, and internal structure, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) will be applied. EPR offer deep insight into how environmental stimuli influence the internal dynamics and structural organization of the nanoparticles. Through the combination of stimuli-responsive behavior, tailored polymer architecture, and TEMPO-based spin labeling, this work aims to establish a robust platform for developing smart nanomaterials and provides a powerful spectroscopic approach to understanding complex self-assembled polymer systems at the molecular level.

Crafting Biorubber: 3D-Printable PGS Gels for Soft Tissue Engineering

We are looking to push the boundaries of soft-tissue engineering by developing stereolithographically printable poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) systems. A class of PGS polyester offers performance as a "biorubber"—highly elastic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer, making it a prime candidate for mimicking the mechanics of human soft tissue.
As a participant, you’ll be the architect of the material itself: you will formulate printable monomeric "cocktails," systematically evaluating the interplay between PGS structure, viscosity, reactivity, and optical properties to ensure optimal resin performance. Beyond the chemistry, you will master the art of SLA printing using Prusa systems, establishing the precise parameters to transform liquid resin into high-fidelity 3D structures. You will investigate the fundamental relationship between chemistry, structure and properties using methods like FTIR, SWAXS, XRD, and mechanical testing to see how composition, conversion rates and print setups dictate the structure allowing reversible deformability of the objects.
Your profile: You should be well-acquainted with polymer chemistry and possess an analytical mindset as well as a collaborative spirit. If you enjoy the challenge of optimizing complex systems through systematic experimentation and learning from newest literature, you will fit right in with our team.

Bioactive coatings based on “charge-shifting” synthetic polycations and heparin for tunable protein release

Polyelectrolyte nanofilms prepared by layer-by-layer method (LbL films) are an intensively studied approach to create bioactive coatings on biomaterial surfaces that release biologically active proteins and thus influence cellular responses in tissue engineering applications. LbL films are formed via electrostatic interactions between polyanions and polycations. However, polycations are known to be toxic due to their high positive charge density. This project aims to fabricate and characterize LbL films using “charge-shifting” polycations based on (dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) copolymers (PDMAEA), which lose their charge over time due to hydrolysis of polycation side chains, thus reducing polycation toxicity. Heparin, as a polycationic component of LbL films, serves as a cargo of bioactive proteins, i.e., growth factors that support vascularization.
The applicant will be trained in the fabrication of LbL films using an automated LbL-coater. The main work will be to study the self-assembly of polyions into LbL films using advanced techniques such as surface plasmon resonance, quartz crystal microbalance and spectroscopic ellipsometry techniques. The AFM technique will be used to analyze the film morphology and ELISA to determine the protein release from the LbL films. Finally, the LbL films will be evaluated for their toxicity in in vitro studies.

Engineering Polymer Bio-Interfaces for Biosensing Devices

The early detection of diseases such as cancer is vital for successful treatment, making the precise monitoring of biomarkers essential in modern medicine. While biosensors are key to this effort, their effectiveness depends on combining the physical sensor design—such as metal/dielectric nanostructures—with a suitable surface chemical architecture. The primary challenge lies in engineering surfaces that specifically capture target biomarkers to produce clear optical signals while effectively suppressing interference from complex biological environments.
The goal of this project is to develop advanced biofunctional nanocoatings for biosensing devices using polymer brushes with controlled architecture and functionality. To create these coatings, the applicant will apply techniques of surface functionalization, controlled radical polymerization, surface physicochemical characterization, and bioconjugation. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists, and biologists, the applicant will have the opportunity to master skills in nanotechnology and polymer chemistry according to their specific research interests.

Development of “smart materials” for pollutant detection and absorption

Human activities are putting an enormous strain on Earth’s freshwater reserves and the quality of water. That is why maintaining a clean water supply is important for human civilization. To ensure the cleanliness and potability of water, sensors, and pollutant absorbents are required to monitor various water quality parameters in surface, ground, drinking, and wastewater. One of the project's goals is to explore alternative ways to repurpose "waste" by converting it into valuable end-products for controlling, combating, and treating various forms of environmental pollution, such as wastewater and drinking water. The successful candidate will develop advanced composite materials by combining bio-waste polymers with conducting polymers.

Quantum chemical modeling of organic semiconductors for semitransparent photovoltaics

Organic electronic devices offer several advantages over their traditional counterparts, such as low cost, easy solution processability, and excellent mechanical properties, including flexibility and low weight. A key benefit is the ability to tune performance parameters through molecular structure modification. Semi-transparent organic materials enable the design of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), agrivoltaics, and wearable electronics. These materials represent a significant opportunity to combine energy-harvesting technology with protection against excessive thermal radiation. This project focuses on the quantum mechanical study of light absorption, photogeneration, and charge carrier transport in various small-molecule organic semiconductors (e.g., DPP derivatives) by means of DFT methods (using Gaussian software package) and various theoretical models. The aim is to establish relationships between molecular chemical structure and macroscopic properties relevant to specific photovoltaic applications. We offer engaging theoretical research in close collaboration with a team of theoretical and experimental physicists at a top-tier academic institution. The findings will contribute to the design and optimization of novel organic functional materials.

Synthesis of functionalized polymers and polymer membranes for electrochemical devices and separation processes

This research project focuses on the synthesis and development of functionalized polymers and polymer membranes tailored for advanced electrochemical and separation applications. Depending on the intended function, polymers may be modified with sulfonate or phosphonic acid groups for use in cation-exchange membranes, or with quaternary ammonium groups for anion-exchange membranes. In addition, membranes incorporating chiral selectors are investigated for applications in chiral recognition and separation.
The prepared polymers and membranes also find use in electrode design, particularly as catalyst supports, as well as in a range of other functional materials applications. The work involves preparative organic chemistry, polymer synthesis, and various polymerization techniques.

Sensors for healthcare

With the aging population and increasing communication capabilities, the importance of telemedicine is growing. Sensors are an essential part of it. Using the properties of ion-exchange membranes, sensors will be developed for the detection of liquid leaks on the bed or in diapers. Membranes selectively transport components that affect the appropriate surface electronic devices.
The research includes: preparation of novel composite polymeric materials, fabrication of flat sheet membranes, physico-chemical characterization, morphology observation by SEM or AFM.
Sensors will be built into medical devices and verified.