Biomimetic materials chemistry

Trieste Group Picture March 2023. From left to right. Top row: Prof Pierangelo Gobbo (PI), Ms Maria Sbacchi, Dr Aina Rebasa Vallverdu, Mr Francesco Vicentini. Bottom row: Ms Beatrice Rosetti, Ms Laura Morbiato, Dr Agostino Galanti, Dr Stefano Valente.
Bristol Group Picture Sept 2022. From left to right: Dr Henry Symons, Dr Aina Rebasa Vallverdu, Mr Justin Park, Mr Patrick Grimes.

Our research group explores the design principles and applications of novel biomimetic materials. Our research is highly multidisciplinary and focuses on advancing the design and synthesis of functional molecules, polymers, and nanomaterials, and use them to generate synthetic cells (protocells) that self-assemble into tissue-like materials (protocellular materials). This is achieved by combining in an original and synergistic manner key aspects of organic chemistry, materials chemistry, and bottom-up synthetic biology.


Our strengths:

  • Synthesis and characterisation of functional molecules, polymers, soft materials and nanomaterials
  • Pickering emulsions
  • Bottom-up synthetic biology
  • Nano- and micro-mechanical testing of materials

Our supporters: