Participants: Dr. Dragos Isac, PhD student Razvan Puf, PhD student Petru Tirnovan
The event served as an important networking opportunity, enriched by the participation of Prof. Chris Chipot from the Université de Lorraine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, whose internationally recognized expertise in advanced molecular simulations, free-energy calculations, and membrane protein modelling brought substantial scientific depth to the discussions. Together with our colleagues from the BioMat4CAST team, his presence stimulated high-level exchanges on methodological developments and best practices in multiscale modelling. The meeting’s thematic structure—built around the concepts of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth, interpreted both literally and metaphorically—had been designed to encourage interdisciplinary thinking and the sharing of perspectives.

The presentations and informal discussions facilitated a dynamic multi-, trans-, and interdisciplinary dialogue, enabling participants to explore innovative research ideas and approaches. Through these interactions, attendees became better acquainted with projects conducted across different scientific domains, helping them identify shared research interests and new opportunities for collaboration.

QDC 2025 has brought together developers, researchers, and quantum community leaders from all over the world to enjoy an exclusive preview of the most recent updates to the IBM Quantum Roadmap. These include the forthcoming IBM Quantum Nighthawk and IBM Quantum Loon processors that will pave the way to advantage and eventually large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Participants have received hands-on demos of cutting-edge IBM quantum software tools. These included demonstrations covering the latest in quantum error mitigation techniques, high-performance capabilities enabled by the Qiskit SDK’s new C API, and other exciting updates to the Qiskit software stack designed to enable near-term demonstrations of quantum advantage. Most importantly, IBM Quantum Developer Conference 2025 was center on the users and supporters needs who have played such a vital role in shaping the evolution of the tools and services provided by IBM.
On behalf of the BioMat4CAST project three members have participated (Dr. Tudor Vasiliu, Dr. Dragos Isac and PhD student Petru Tirnovan). Their participation was sponsored by the FreeYa Mind Project as a reword for their participation in the FreeYa Mind Campus Summer School and trainings.

The Romanian Office for Science and Technology to the European Union (ROST) was established in Brussels following Government Decision no. 787/2005, with the mission to strengthen Romania’s participation in the European Research Area (ERA). ROST operates under the National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, part of the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research. Its mission is to:
• support the active and effective participation of the Romanian research community in EU research and development programmes;
• showcase Romania’s research, development, and innovation policies, as well as our scientific and technological potential, to relevant European organizations;
• encourage and promote cooperation between companies, universities, and research institutes in order to join European R&D consortia;
• stimulate the creation of interest groups at the European level, by highlighting national expertise and competencies, thus increasing the chances of participating in European projects and programmes.
Dr. Teodora Rusu visited Brussel with the main target to participate to the European Research and Innovation Days (16-17.09.2025 see details below). The day before the meeting Dr. Rusu visit ROST and had the opportunity there to have some fruitful discussion on the next Framework Program with: Cristina Anania Director of ROST, Virginia Enache Romanian Representative for Research within the Romanian Representative in Brussels.

Dr. Teodora Rusu participated, between 16–17 September 2025, in the European Research and Innovation Days conference – the European Commission’s flagship event for research and innovation. The conference brings together policymakers, researchers, stakeholders, and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond.
This year’s edition took place at a pivotal moment, marked by discussions on the EU’s next long-term budget and on several key policy initiatives, including the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the European Life Sciences Strategy, the AI in Science Strategy, as well as the European Innovation Act and the European Research Area Act.

The event featured high-level debates, dynamic panel sessions, and valuable networking opportunities that brought together policymakers, researchers, innovators, and stakeholders from across Europe and beyond. Both in Brussels and online, participants had the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the EU’s research and innovation agenda, reinforcing Europe’s role as a global leader in science and innovation.
Dr. Rusu had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the upcoming EU Framework Programme, learning first-hand about its priorities, funding instruments, and strategic directions for the future of research and innovation in Europe. In addition, the event offered her the chance to connect and exchange ideas with researchers from various countries, creating a fertile ground for future collaborations and potential joint projects.

The official launch event of FreeYa Mind Campus - the pioneering hub for quantum technologies and artificial intelligence that will shape the future of education and research in Romania was organised March 5-6, 2025 in Iași, Romania. In collaboration with IBM and leading academic institutions from Iași, FreeYa Mind Campus marks the beginning of a new era for both the city and Romania, establishing itself as a true hub of excellence in science and technology and driving innovation in key sectors such as pharmaceutical research, chemical compound development, and material science. With IBM Quantum Technology, FreeYa Mind Campus are setting the stage for transformative experiences that will inspire future leaders in tech and science!

Part of the BioMat4CAST Team: Dr. Tudor Vasiliu, Dr. Dragos Isac, and PhD students: Razvan Puf, Narcis Cibotariu and Petru Tirnovan have participate in the event. They have present the BioMat4CAST group and they held discussions with IBM representatives regarding collaboration opportunities in the field of quantum technology.

Dr Teodora Rusu was invited to make a presentation within the Workshop organised within the “Enhancing and Strengthening the Excellence in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research at TRANSCEND” ESEI-BioMed project Her presentation focused on frequent errors in the project proposal and management as well as to share your experience as coordinator of two ERA-Chair projects.
The objective of the workshop was to obtain a useful perspective on the red line of a project from the idea to the reporting stage, with a focus on Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects. Also, during the event issues related to HRS4R, procurement, communication, etc. will be discussed.
The participants are the ERA-Chair research team, as well as the administrative team of the Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi, who are involved in such projects, as well as representants of the Ministry of Research, and other Universities involved in project management. The event was a very good training opportunity in project management but also a very good networking platform for all participants

On 24 November 2025, the BioMat4CAST team welcomed a group of 20 Erasmus students from Portugal, Turkey, and Bulgaria, participating in the ERASMUS+ BLENDED INTENSIVE PROGRAM (BIP) project “Exploring Advanced Materials and Dermocosmetic Futures.” The initiative, organized by the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection “Cristofor Simionescu” of the Technical University of Iași, provided an excellent opportunity for international students to engage with the scientific environment of the “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and, in particular, with the newly established BioMat4CAST research group. The Erasmus + BIP project is dedicated to students in chemical engineering, chemistry, pharmacy, and related fields, with the aim of exploring advanced materials and biomaterials in a broad scientific context, emphasizing their properties, potential applications, and sustainability aspects.

A special focus is placed on dermocosmetic formulation. Participants will design and evaluate various product including cleansing formulations, decorative cosmetics, and skincare preparations, among which dermocosmetic emulsions. The program also offers experiential learning opportunities through institutional visits, including Antibiotice S.A., Iasi a major pharmaceutical company and The "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, where students were offered the opportunity to discover advanced scientific equipment and research methodologies.
Participants were from: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto – Portugal; University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Bulgaria; Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University – Turkey, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Netherland, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Gh Asachi Technical University, Romania, etc.
During their visit, students were introduced to the group’s ongoing projects in multiscale modelling, biomaterials, and dermocosmetic systems, gaining insight into both computational workflows and experimental approaches used in advanced materials research. The BioMat4CAST team presented demonstrations, facilitated discussions, and encouraged the exchange of ideas, offering participants a comprehensive view of how modelling and materials science intersect within modern research infrastructures.
This interaction not only supported the educational goals of the ERASMUS+ BIP program but also highlighted BioMat4CAST’s growing international visibility. The presence of students from three different countries confirmed the group’s increasing attractiveness as a scientific host and collaboration hub. Looking ahead, BioMat4CAST aims to further capitalize on such visits to strengthen its European networking capacity, enhance institutional visibility, and foster future research collaborations with both students and partner universities.

Mr. Aamir Saeed, is PhD student at the University of Cagliari and works his PhD , under the supervision Prof. Francesca Mocci, Prof. Flamina C. Marincola. During his mobility within the UniCa PhD fellowship he will be hosted within the BioMat4CAST Team in IntelCentre at "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Iași, between November 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, where he will complement his computational work on the molecular modeling of viral G-quadruplexes with experimental studies, specifically circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, to achieve experimental validation of his results.

Mr. Aamir Saeed, presented Friday 21.11.2025, within the BioMat4CAST Group, the preliminary results of his PhD thesis, focused on the study of the stabilizing effect exerted by various ligands on viral G-quadruplex (G4) structures, investigated through integrated docking and molecular dynamics simulations. In his presentation, Aamir pointed out the importance of these G4 structures in viral replication processes and their potential as therapeutic targets, presenting the computational models of ligand - G4 interactions and their behaviour over time.

On March 28, the some BioMat4CAST members have participated in the DIZ Conference – Digital Transformation 2.0, as a member of the Digital Innovation Zone consortium, EDIH-DIZ.
The event gathered a full audience and featured a comprehensive agenda: from the strategic vision on digital transformation, through current trends in digital technologies, to funding opportunities dedicated to the manufacturing and healthcare sectors – DIZ’s priority areas.
On the second day, March 29, a workshop was held, dedicated to current and potential beneficiaries of the first call for selection within EDIH-DIZ.
The event offered an excellent opportunity for networking and partner identification for future funding projects.

Dr. Mariana Pinteala on behalf of the BioMat4CAST Team has participated in the IMAGO-MOL management meeting. During the meeting she was elected also Coordination Team of the Cluster as scientific research coordinator

On March 28, the some BioMat4CAST members have participated in the DIZ Conference – Digital Transformation 2.0, as a member of the Digital Innovation Zone consortium, EDIH-DIZ.
The event gathered a full audience and featured a comprehensive agenda: from the strategic vision on digital transformation, through current trends in digital technologies, to funding opportunities dedicated to the manufacturing and healthcare sectors – DIZ’s priority areas.
On the second day, March 29, a workshop was held, dedicated to current and potential beneficiaries of the first call for selection within EDIH-DIZ.
The event offered an excellent opportunity for networking and partner identification for future funding projects.

The North-East Regional Development Agency , in collaboration with the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, organised on May 23, 2024, at the RubikHub headquarters in Piatra-Neamț, an interactive workshop, entitled Education, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Field of Smart and Circular Economys.
The event is addressed to managers and specialists in manufacturing sector, as well as in waste collection and recycling sector, who are interested in the business opportunities and challenges related to smart functional materials and waste management. A virtual educational module on smart textiles and entrepreneurship was presented and discussed (free online educational materials with different levels of complexity, and a virtual guide for entrepreneurs in the field), developed by the Erasmus+ HACKTEX project team. In addition, several innovative solutions for circular economy have been presented (zero-waste production systems and new tools for valorizing textile waste) developed through the i3 REGIOGREENTEX project, in the context of the new national and European regulations in the field.

This event brought together experts to discuss how research and innovation can help accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions. Achieving a climate-neutral economy in Europe by 2050 will require unprecedented efforts. Every sector must fundamentally rethink its practices to align with a net-zero future, while also safeguarding other environmental and societal objectives both within the EU and globally.
Innovation will be the decisive factor in reaching climate neutrality—yet the current pace of innovation remains insufficient to meet this challenge. The report “Research and Innovation for Climate Neutrality by 2050: Challenges, Opportunities and the Path Forward” seeks to provide policy recommendations on the design, guiding principles, and solution pathways needed to shape a long-term, forward-looking R&I agenda that can accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions. Building on the insights of the report, and to further explore how R&I can best contribute to achieving climate neutrality, DG Research and Innovation hosted this online event. The session guests/key speakers included Deputy Director-General Joanna Drake, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director for Clean Planet; Marc Lemaître, Director-General, DG RTD; Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General, DG CLIMA; Ann Mettler, Vice-President, Breakthrough Energy Europe; Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Chair of the Scientific Council of the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development & President of the Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences.
Due to the importance of the topic, all the BioMat4CAST team followed the discussion on-line either directly on 12.06.2024 or later on the record session.

All the BioMat4CAST Team was invited and participate in the BioNanoTech Summer School in Project Management
The program of the Summer School inclouded an Advanced Training Modul in Project management performed by two trainers from Europa Media Trainings division of Geonardo and Europa Media Non-profit. Eu Media provides practical training courses for the European science and technology community. Their courses impart hands-on experience in developing and managing EU research and innovation projects, equipping individuals and organisations with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully participate in EU-funded projects. The two trainers: Ömer Ceylan (Trainer & Consultant, Managing Director of Geonardo) and Jelena Kajganovic (Trainer and Project Manager) provied both theoretical but also practical aspects in how to make a competitive proposal for Horizon Europe program as well as for othe national and international programs.

All the BioMat4CAST Team participate on June 8, 2023 at the Final Conference of the project entitled “BioNanoTech-Suport, Support Center for Horizon 2020 Projects”. The project was implemented through the Competitiveness Operational Programme, Axis 1 – Research, Technological Development and Innovation (RDI) in support of economic competitiveness and business development, Action 1.1.3: Creating synergies with the RDI actions of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and other international RDI programmes, Project Type: SUPPORT CENTERS, Call code: POC/80/1/2/Creating synergies with the RDI actions of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and other international RDI programmes, Financing Contract no. 241/27.04.2020 signed with the Ministry of Education and Research.

Prof. Aatto Laaksonen BioMat4CAST ERA Chair and Dr. Mariana Pinteala the BioMat4CAST Scientific Manager made a presentation of the BioMat4CAST project.