Category: Press release

Researcher from InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM participated in the 7th International Conference on Applied Surface Science (ICASS 2026), held 1 – 4 June 2026 in Chengdu, China.

The conference, organized by the journal Applied Surface Science and Elsevier, brought together researchers working in surface science, advanced materials, nanotechnology, biointerfaces and related fields. The event provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and discussions on current developments and future research directions in these areas.

Dr. Wojciech Pajerski, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, presented his research on microbial–material interactions, biointerfaces and sustainable bio-based material solutions. His participation contributed to discussions with international experts and researchers working on related topics.

The conference also provided opportunities for networking and strengthening existing collaborations. During the event, Dr. Pajerski met with collaborators from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Jagiellonian University to discuss ongoing research activities and opportunities for future cooperation.

Participation in ICASS 2026 enabled the exchange of knowledge with researchers from around the world, fostered scientific collaboration, and supported discussions on future developments in surface science, biointerfaces and sustainable material solutions.

InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM hosted a group of students and Prof. Guenter Berger from Salzburg University of Applied Sciences as part of a sustainable study excursion.

They were welcomed by Dr. Jakub Grzybek, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher. Dr. Mike Burnard, Deputy Department Chair at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM, guided them through the facility and laboratories, presenting the research environment and ongoing activities.

During the visit, Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM Materials research group leader and representative of the University of Primorska in the Technology Council for Advanced Materials of the European Commission, introduced the ELM research activities and gave a presentation titled Living systems as building materials.

The visit provided students with an opportunity to gain insight into contemporary research in sustainable construction and wood science.

As part of an Erasmus+ teaching mobility at Stellenbosch University (South Africa), ARCHI-SKIN researcher Dr. Jakub Grzybek and Dr. Wojciech Pajerski delivered educational activities focused on bioinspired materials and emerging approaches to sustainable material design.
The course introduced students from the Department of Forest and Wood Science to concepts related to Engineered Living Materials (ELMs), highlighting how living systems can inspire the development of adaptive and environmentally integrated materials. Through interactive lectures and practical exercises, participants explored biological principles as a source of innovation for future material technologies.
The activity supported the dissemination of knowledge and research concepts relevant to the ARCHI-SKIN project while fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of sustainable and bioinspired materials research.
The visit was hosted by Prof. Brand Wessels at Stellenbosch University.

We’re excited to launch our new project – STAR – Space Testing for Advanced Resilience of Engineered Living Materials 
Building on our ERC project ARCHI-SKIN, which developed living, bio-based coatings for architecture, STAR takes this concept a step further. After receiving an ERC Proof of Concept Seal of Excellence, the project is now supported by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS). 

In STAR, we explore how Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) perform under extreme space conditions – including microgravity, radiation, temperature fluctuations, and limited nutrients. By studying fungal biofilms and their ability to adapt and self-repair, we aim to understand how living materials can maintain functionality in unpredictable environments. These insights could help advance self-healing, sustainable materials for architecture – both on Earth and in future space applications.

Anna Sandak is serving as the collection’s Guest Editor for the Discover Materials journal from Springer Nature. This Collection will showcase cutting-edge research at the nexus of synthetic biology, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and artificial intelligence, spotlighting breakthroughs that advance the design, control, and application of engineered living materials.
Learn more about the collection and how to contribute:
https://link.springer.com/collections/dadicecbca

The scientific paper prepared by dr. Faksawat Poohphajai, Ana Gubenšek, dr. Anja Černoša, dr. Karen Butina Ogorelec, dr. Jakub Sandak and dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE researchers, together with dr. Lauri Rautkari from Aalto University, has been selected by the Section Editor-in-Chief as an Editor’s Choice Article of the journal Coatings.
In the article “Bioinspired Living Coating System for Wood Protection: Exploring Fungal Species on Wood Surfaces Coated with Biofinish during Its Service Life,” researchers aimed to explore fungal species colonising surfaces exposed to natural weathering and assess the survival of A. pullulans on wood surfaces coated with Biofinish during its in-service period.
The Editor’s Choice selection highlights the high scientific quality, originality, and significant impact of the research, as well as its contribution to advancing sustainable and bioinspired wood protection systems.
Congratulations!

WARM WISHES FROM THE ELM LAB

They are called Engineered Living Materials and operate on the principle of “working with nature, not against it.”
The ARCHI-SKIN project is based on the research of these materials. It is funded by the European Research Council (ERC), and is developing a new class of bioactive, self-healing, and sustainable coatings inspired by fungal biofilms.
A breakthrough for the construction industry and the green transition. 

Dr. Jakub Grzybek, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researcher, attended the 5th international scientific conference “WOOD–SCIENCE–ECONOMY: Sustainable Solutions and Digitalization in the Forest-Wood Sector”, held 3-5 December 2025, in Poznań, Poland.

Dr. Grzybek presented the Archi-Skin project with the poster presentation titled “Beyond Traditional Coatings: Toward Engineered Living Materials for Architecture”. Co-authors of the poster are researchers Dr. Anja Černoša, Ana Gubenšek, Dr. Wojciech Pajerski, Dr. Ihab Malat and Dr. Anna Sandak from InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM.

At the conference, participants took part in a Horizon Europe networking session that enabled intensive individual exchanges with international attendees as well as discussions on project ideas and potential collaborations. They also visited Brzechwa, a producer of prefabricated wooden houses and carried out a field visit to the Oborniki Forest District (State Forests).

The conference was organized by Łukasiewicz – Poznań Institute of Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences and Industry Contact Point – Digital Transformation.