School
DeSK (TNE-DESK)
Sponsored by DeSK TNE – Developing Shared Knowledge

Advanced training school on innovative materials

Advanced biomaterials and AI-enabled design and characterisation with emphasis on biointerfaces, tissue engineering and diagnostics.

Programme overview ↓ Guest lecturers ↓ Register now ↓
Advanced Biomaterials-DESK header

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes
  • Master structure–property–function relationships in advanced/architected biomaterials.
  • Plan characterisation workflows with robust data/metadata capture (FAIR principles).
  • Build and assess baseline AI models for property prediction and design exploration.
  • Discuss biointegration, safety and ethics for translational pathways.

Guest Lecturers

Invited
Gabriel S. Longo, PhD
Dr. Gabriel S. Longo Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physicochemical Research (INIFTA), UNLP-CONICET
La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
TitleUnraveling the Physical Chemistry of Responsive Hydrogels
Picco
Dr. Agustín S. Picco Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physicochemical Research (INIFTA), UNLP-CONICET
La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
TitleSizing Up the Nanoworld: An Introduction to SAXS
Dr. Gustavo Morel
Dr. Gustavo Morel La Plata Institute of Biochemical Research (INIBIOLP), UNLP-CONICET
La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Title Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration: Biomaterial-Based Strategies for Brain Repair
Matías Rafti, PhD
Dr. Matías Rafti Soft Matter Laboratory, FCE – Institute of Theoretical and Applied Physicochemical Research (INIFTA), UNLP-CONICET
La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Title Reticular Chemistry Tools and the Synthesis of Porous Materials (MOFs & COFs) for Sensing, Separation, and Catalysis Applications
Alvarez
Dr. H. Ariel Alvarez Institute of Physics of Liquids and Biological Systems (IFLYSIB), UNLP-CONICET
La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Title Multiscale Modelling Strategies for the Characterization and Design of Advanced Biomaterials
concilio
Prof. Simona Concilio Department of Pharmacy
University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy

Title Sustainable Hybrid Biomaterials: Biofunctional Interfaces and Stimuli-Responsive Networks
FM
Prof. Fabio Mavelli Department of Chemistry
University of Bari, Bari, Italy

Title Smart artificial systems for health applications

Programme Overview

3 mornings
Day 1 — Mon, 11 May 2026
Responsive Biomaterials & Soft Matter
  • 09:20–9:30: Welcome — Stefano Piotto & Tomas Grigera
  • 09:30–10:30: Unraveling the Physical Chemistry of Responsive Hydrogels — Gabriel S. Longo
  • 10:30–11:00: Coffee Break
  • 11:00–12:00: Smart artificial systems for health applications — Fabio Mavelli
  • 12:00–13:00: Sustainable Hybrid Biomaterials: Biofunctional Interfaces and Stimuli-Responsive Networks — Simona Concilio
Day 2 — Tue, 12 May 2026
Nanoscale Characterization & Multiscale Modelling
  • 09:30–10:30: Sizing Up the Nanoworld: An Introduction to SAXS — Agustín S. Picco
  • 10:30–11:00: Coffee Break
  • 11:00–12:00: Multiscale Modelling Strategies for the Characterization and Design of Advanced Biomaterials — H. Ariel Alvarez
  • 12:00–13:00: Fluctuations: from noise to information through correlation functions — Tomas Grigera
Day 3 — Wed, 13 May 2026
Functional Materials & Biomedical Applications
  • 09:30–10:30: Reticular Chemistry Tools and the Synthesis of Porous Materials (MOFs & COFs) for Sensing, Separation, and Catalysis Applications — Matías Rafti
  • 10:30–11:00: Coffee Break
  • 11:00–12:00: Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration: Biomaterial-Based Strategies for Brain Repair — Gustavo Morel
  • 12:00–13:00: AI-Driven Design of Biomaterials — Stefano Piotto

Register for the School

Application

Registration is now open for the Advanced training school on innovative materials. Complete the application form to request participation.

VENUE
Convento “Santa Maria degli Angeli”
Via S. Francesco, 4, 83026 Torchiati (AV), Italy
Open map
Convento Santa Maria degli Angeli, Torchiati

With the support of

Partners
TNE-DESK SoftMining