Dr. Edina Avdović, the leader of the GraSP_MAT project, participated in the prestigious scientific conference Slovenski kemijski dnevi 2024 (Slovenian Chemical Days 2024), held in Portorož from September 18 to 20, 2024. As part of her presentation, Dr. Avdović showcased a portion of the research results related to the innovative use of extracts obtained from grape skins from the Šumadija region. These extracts, rich in compounds that demonstrate high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential, are being investigated within the GraSP_MAT project as key ingredients for developing new materials, such as hydrogel formulations, which have potential applications in medicine, primarily in the treatment of advanced wounds.
The idea behind the GraSP_MAT project is to incorporate these natural extracts into hydrogel matrices to enable efficient wound healing through controlled release of bioactive substances. During the conference, Dr. Avdović had the opportunity to discuss further progress and potential innovations in hydrogel formulation with Prof. Valentin Cepus from the University of Applied Sciences in Merseburg, Germany. Their conversation opened new perspectives for additional experiments, including testing the stability of formulations and optimizing the hydrogel structure to improve its therapeutic properties.
Participation in this conference was of great importance for promoting the GraSP_MAT project, allowing Dr. Avdović to expand her international network of collaborators and enhance scientific research work through the exchange of ideas and experiences with leading experts in the fields of chemistry and biomedical sciences. Such events not only enable the dissemination of scientific achievements but also encourage further development of innovative solutions through multidisciplinary and international collaboration.