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We are delighted to share that our consortium has successfully secured a NATO project, with the Slovak team at IEP SAS serving as the main coordinator. The project, MYP “SMARTMat-Rad - Nanotherapy for Radiation Damage”, addresses the growing risk of large-scale radiation injuries affecting civilians and responders due to military conflicts, nuclear accidents, or acts of terrorism. Its goal is to develop two complementary therapies: oral and topical-using bioactive inorganic nanomaterials and advanced hydrogels to treat systemic disorders and radiation-induced skin lesions, accelerate healing, and create an “intelligent” roadmap for practical use in emergency and clinical settings.

The project’s innovation lies in designing bioactive nanocomposites with antioxidant, antibacterial, radioprotective, and sorption properties, integrated into a methyl silicic acid–based hydrogel. This forms a two-component “smart” system: a Combined Smart Enterosorbent (CSE) for systemic therapy and a Combined Smart Applicator (CSA) for topical treatment of burns and wounds. The platform is versatile, easy to use, and can be rapidly deployed in mass-casualty situations, helping reduce inflammation, infection, and oxidative stress while promoting fast wound healing.

The project brings together five international research teams:

• Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences (IEP SAS, Slovakia) (Main Coordinator): Experts in physics, biophysics, and chemistry leading the project management, joint meetings, and reporting. They also work on characterizing magnetic nanoparticles and composites, studying protein-composite interactions, and testing biocompatibility and bioactivity. NPD Dr. Katarina Siposova, PhD.
• V.I. Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry (IGIC-NASU, Ukraine): Focused on synthesizing inorganic nanocomposites and hydrogels, functionalizing them, and performing detailed physicochemical analyses. PPD Dr. Yuliia Shlapa, PhD.
• R. E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology (IEPOR, NASU, Ukraine): Evaluates the antioxidant, antibacterial, and radioprotective effects of the materials, as well as systemic safety and skin regeneration in vitro and in vivo. Co-A, Dr. Veronika Sarnatskaya, Dr. Sci.
• BCMaterials - Basque Center for Materials, Applications & Nanostructures (Spain): Provides advanced nanoscale structural analysis and supports the development of multifunctional smart hydrogels. Co-B, Dr. Viktor Petrenko, PhD.
• National Institute of Materials Physics (NIMP, Romania): Specializes in microstructural and spectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials and hydrogels using cutting-edge techniques such as HRTEM, STEM, and EELS. Co-C, Dr. Valentin-Adrian Maraloiu, PhD.

Two end-user partners are actively involved in the project: LLC Innovative Company of Basalt Technologies and the Civil Protection (PROFI) Manager’s Association (CPPMAS). Their role is to support the transfer of laboratory results into practice, including pilot production and pre-clinical testing of the smart enterosorbent and applicator. This collaboration helps ensure that the developed solutions meet regulatory requirements and are suitable for future clinical use.

For more info, please visit NATO G8914 webpage

Edited and photo: Katarína Šipošová, Ústav experimentálnej fyziky SAV, v. v. i.