e are pleased to announce that in the year 2022, the Karel Dušek Fund collaborated with the organizers of the international conference Polymery 2022, Třešť, Czech Republic [https://www.imc.cas.cz/sympo/polymery2022/english.html]
At this event, the KD Fund together with the organizers of the conference and a panel of experts organized a contest for the Karel Dušek Award for outstanding presentation and awarded two authors presenting their excellent scientific work.
The Karel Dušek Award for the outstanding lecture was given to Sachin Gupta for his excellent work and its presentation to the audience:
“Cu(0)-RDRP of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in a non-polar solvent: Rapid synthesis of well-defined, high-molecular weight (co)polymers“ by the authors S. Gupta and V. Raus
The Karel Dušek Award for an outstanding poster was given to Martina Vragović for her excellent work and its imaginary presentation in form of a poster:
“pH-RESPONSIVE GIANT UNILAMELLAR VESICLES“ by M. Vragović, V. Sincari, M. Hrubý, A. Jäger, E. Jäger
The Karel Dušek Fund Administrative Council congratulates the awardees!
The both awardees speak about their work and its possible future impact in chemistry of materials or medicine for the webside of KD Fund:
Sachin Gupta: Cu(0)-RDRP of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in a non-polar solvent: Rapid synthesis of well-defined, high-molecular weight (co)polymers
Apparently, your presentation attracted the eyes of the experts perhaps because you formulated a strong and clear scientific message for the expert audience. How would you translate this message for anyone outside the macromolecular science field? What is the main point you learned in this work?
„Some 70 years have passed since Wichterle and coworkers at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (IMC) famously introduced polymers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as materials with a great potential in medicinal applications. While other useful monomers have been developed in the meantime, HEMA is still finding important uses in this field. Our study has provided polymer chemists with a new protocol for making HEMA (co)polymers in a precise way, with complete control over the parameters of the resulting material – something that has not been demonstrated before at this level. Therefore, I think that my presentation attracted interest not only because it communicated interesting science but also told an intriguing story of IMC scientists revisiting the topic Wichterle and IMC became well-known for.„
Some time has elapsed since the event (Polymers 2022). Are you still developing the topic of macromolecular chemistry you presented at that time or are you moving to another field? Which field do you consider topical and worthwhile focusing at in the near future for the macromolecular scientific community?“
„The presented work on HEMA polymerization is actually a piece of a larger study that focuses on the synthesis of complex polymeric architectures. In this study, we used HEMA as one of model monomers, eventually realizing that we inadvertently developed the best contemporary method for controlled HEMA polymerization. In addition, the results I presented at Polymers 2022 caught the attention of two leading figures in the field of radical polymerization, professors Igor Lacík and Robin Hutchinson. I am currently finishing my internship in Prof. Hutchinson’s laboratory at Queen’s University, Canada, where I am studying HEMA (co)polymerization from a more industrial perspective.
As for the future of macromolecular science, I can perhaps mention a few “hot topics” in polymer synthesis: developing rapid and cost effective controlled radical polymerization methods and focusing on post polymerization modification methods which can help in designing completely new polymers.„
What is your advice to your younger colleague who is going to her/his first international meeting being a bit anxious about their own performance in front of the audience?
„For the younger colleagues, I would like to advise that before going to any international meeting it is very important to understand what kind of audience is going to be present. There could be experts as well as non-experts from your field of research, thus, the presentation and speech should be formulated in the simplest possible way. Additionally, spending some time before a presentation on getting complete knowledge of your own topic is very important since nobody else other than you should know your research better. Lastly, practice the presentation according to the stipulated time and restrict to the time allotted. Stay calm, confident, well dressed and things will go well.„
Martina Vragović, V. Sincari, M. Hrubý, A. Jäger, E. Jäger: pH- RESPONSIVE GIANT UNILAMELLAR VESICLES
Apparently, your presentation attracted the eyes of the experts perhaps because you formulated a strong and clear scientific message for the expert audience. How would you translate this message for anyone outside the macromolecular science field? What is the main point you learned in this work?
„The research was focused on advanced drug delivery techniques for cancer treatment. To provide clarity, traditional medications often result in undesirable side effects. Our objective is to engineer intelligent vesicles capable of delivering drugs exclusively to tumor tissues, thereby minimizing the impact on healthy cells. These vesicles are designed to release their therapeutic cargo upon encountering specific triggers. In our approach, we harness the acidic pH environment inherent to cancerous tissues as a triggering mechanism, effectively utilizing a characteristic of cancer against itself. What is occurring is that one of the polymers we synthesize becomes soluble under acidic pH conditions. Consequently, the vesicle’s membrane also becomes solubilized. This interaction leads to the destabilization of the vesicle’s structure, resulting in the release of the drug.
The early stages of my Ph.D. journey taught me a valuable lesson: things don’t always unfold as planned. Patience emerged as a significant virtue, while the occasional disparity between theory and practice added a layer of intrigue to the process.“
Some time has elapsed since the event (Polymers 2022). Are you still developing the topics of macromolecular chemistry you presented at that time or are you moving to another field? Which field do you consider topical and worthwhile of focusing on in the near future for the macromolecular scientific community?
„Remaining in the realm of targeted drug delivery, I am consistently broadening my understanding day by day. The field’s expansive nature is both a challenge and an opportunity, one that I embrace wholeheartedly. I am drawn to this field by the potential it holds for significant advancements that could reshape medical treatment. While the path is demanding, the chance to contribute to healthcare breakthroughs motivates me. The prospect that our collective efforts might eventually yield substantial contributions to this field propels my dedication, highlighting the value of persistent exploration and commitment.
The beauty of macromolecular science lies in its comprehensiveness, touching upon various facets of life. It’s quite a challenge to pinpoint a single most important field due to its diverse impact. However, considering the current relevant themes, I would highlight the production of biomaterials, which play a pivotal role in advancing medical treatments and enabling innovative solutions for tissue regeneration and medical device development. Equally crucial are sustainable polymers, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and fostering a more eco-friendly approach to material usage. And of course, the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine offers unparalleled opportunities for targeted and precise interventions in healthcare, promising groundbreaking advancements in diagnostics, drug delivery, and disease management.“
What is your advice to your younger colleague who is going to her/his first international meeting being a bit anxious about their own performance in front of the audience?
„Undoubtedly, each individual has a unique approach to handling stress, as we all possess distinct strategies for managing such situations. My rituals are including good preparation and the power of simplicity. Good preparation diminishes my nervousness and it gives me a kick of confidence. Being well-prepared significantly alleviates nerves and fosters a sense of control. As you delve into the depths of your material, a comprehensive understanding provides a reassuring anchor.
On the other hand, in a world of intricate ideas, simplicity acts as a universal bridge. Acknowledging that not everyone present may be deeply entrenched in your field, presenting your concepts in an accessible manner doesn’t compromise professionalism. Enthusiasm propels intrigue, and the intricate concept finds its place.
Also, it helps me a lot when I think that the giants of today once started as rookies too 😀 I would also tell them that international meetings aren’t just about data – they’re like a science party where minds mingle. You’ll find that experts are more like approachable mentors who’ve been through the trenches themselves. Knowledge sharing is the star of the show, and everyone’s wearing their ‚friendly collaborator‘ hats.“