Research | Sustainable Nanochemistry

MISSION

Our research takes place in the Sustainable Nanochemistry Lab, located in the Complex Building at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), in the heart of Lisbon. We are part of the Biospectroscopy and Interfaces Group within the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), a research unit of IST–UL. iBB is an internationally recognised centre with state-of-the-art infrastructure—from advanced optical spectroscopy and microscopy to human cell culture facilities, including stem cell culture. Our imaging capabilities connect to the Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging, a national strategic infrastructure that provides open access to cutting-edge bioimaging resources. In our lab, we develop materials and processes that are cleaner, safer, and more efficient, while pushing the frontier of nanoscience. Our work is organised around two tightly connected research axes: (i) Sustainable Nanomedicine, where we build next-generation nanosystems for therapy and diagnostics, and (ii) Mechanochemistry, where we reinvent synthesis and manufacturing through solvent-free, scalable approaches. We are a highly interdisciplinary lab—chemists, materials scientists, bioengineers, and life scientists working side-by-side. Students joining us will gain hands-on training across synthesis, nanomaterial characterisation, biointerfaces, and translation-oriented thinking, with projects designed to generate publishable results and real-world impact.

SUSTAINABLE NANOMEDICINE

We create smart nanosystems that interact with biology in precise and useful ways—improving how drugs are delivered, how diseases are detected, and how materials communicate with cells. A hallmark of our approach is combining molecular design with sustainable chemistry, building platforms that are not only effective but also thoughtfully engineered from the start. We pioneered the synthesis of polyurea dendrimers (PURE) in supercritical carbon dioxide, using CO₂ both as solvent and reagent—an early example of how sustainability can enable (not limit) advanced materials [1].

Building on this foundation, we develop dendrimer-based nanosystems for drug and gene delivery, and we explore dendrimer scaffolds for antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, and blood-stage antimalarial nanotherapeutics (including active collaborations, e.g., with IHMT). Ovarian cancer theranostics—particularly strategies supporting earlier detection and clinically relevant translation—is a major focus through collaboration with IPOLFG. In parallel, we continue to expand the biological reach of our platforms: polyurea oxide dendrimers were disclosed as a novel soft polymer that promotes osteodifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, opening exciting directions at the interface of nanomaterials and regenerative medicine [2].

A key outcome of our work is the production of core–shell polycationic polyurea dendrimers—a versatile platform that bridges anti-infective nanobiomaterials and precision oncology. Built on a polyurea dendrimer core and a highly cationic shell (obtained via a simple, scalable, and green route), these materials are isolated as stable solids through low-cost, sustainable processing and display potent broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity (Gram-positive/Gram-negative and Candida) strains. We established a fast-killing membranolytic mechanism driven by electrostatic interactions—supported by confocal/SEM and coarse-grained molecular dynamics—and validated in vivo efficacy in a Galleria mellonella infection model, alongside strong biocompatibility/hemocompatibility and low serum interference [3]. This technology—developed directly from these studies—is protected by a Portuguese patent.

Beyond infections, the same core–shell concept enables tumour-tailored nanotherapeutic strategies: in NSCLC, activity depends on the EGFR/KRAS background (with EGFR Ex19Del linked to resistance signalling, ↑p-ERK/ERK), while combination with gefitinib enhances tumour cell killing (validated in an ex vivo CAM model) [4]. In breast cancer—particularly TNBC—we leverage metabolic vulnerabilities by connecting FATP1 and xCT to disease phenotype and showing that selenium–chrysin triggers ferroptosis via xCT inhibition; a targeted formulation supports combination regimens and sensitizes cells to cisplatin [5]. A major milestone in our nanotheranostics program was the discovery that PURE dendrimers enable ligand-free radiolabelling, avoiding chelators and complex bioconjugation. The radiodendrimer is highly hydrophilic and stable under physiological conditions, supporting its potential for ovarian cancer imaging and future theranostic translation [6].

We also contribute to the European effort to bring nanomedicine closer to patients. Our participation in COST Action CA17140 (Nano2Clinic) strengthened our engagement with key translational challenges—reproducibility, robust characterisation and standardisation, relevant preclinical models, safety assessment, scalable manufacturing, and regulatory pathways. This perspective shapes how we design research: ambitious science, but with a clear line-of-sight to real implementation.

MECHANOCHEMISTRY

In mechanochemistry, we use ball milling to redesign synthesis around solvent-free, low-waste workflows that are faster, cleaner, and often uniquely enabling. Our portfolio includes the iron-free mechanochemical inverse vulcanization—transforming industrial by-products into optically active oligosulfides under mild conditions [7] and the mechanosynthesis of pseudocapacitive and electroactive materials for energy-storage applications. We also translate mechanochemistry into high-impact applied materials, such as fluorescent magnetic alumina and related biodegradable magnetic powders engineered for robust latent fingerprint detection with sustainable processing [8]. Importantly, we have pushed mechanochemistry into molecular imprinting: beyond early green routes (including mechanochemical MIPs for specific targets), our recent work reports the first mechanosynthesis of metal–molecularly imprinted polymers and their direct integration into a thermal biosensing platform [9]. This line of research positions mechanochemistry in our lab not only as a green method, but as a discovery engine for functional materials with real-world relevance.

Sustainable Nanochemistry

Polymer Theranostics & Bioenergy

Selected Publications