October 4th, 2025
The University of Aveiro proudly hosted the SupraLife Final International Conference from 29 September to 3 October 2025, marking the conclusion of the EU-funded Horizon Europe project SUPRALIFE (Grant Agreement No. 101079482) activities.
The event gathered leading international researchers in supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and regenerative medicine to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest advances shaping the future of bioinspired and life-like materials.
Opening remarks were delivered by Artur Silva, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and 3rd Cycle Studies, alongside the project coordinators, Professors João Borges and João F. Mano. Over five days, participants attended plenary lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions that highlighted cutting-edge developments in supramolecular materials and their biomedical applications.
The conference featured 15 plenary lectures from world-renowned scientists, including Samuel Stupp (Northwestern University, USA), E.W. “Bert” Meijer (Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands), Luisa De Cola (University of Milano, Italy), and Marcy Zenobi-Wong (ETH Zurich, Switzerland).
Alongside the scientific sessions, activities such as the Young Scientists’ Networking Forum fostered collaboration among emerging researchers, while social events and a gala dinner celebrated the achievements of SUPRALIFE’s diverse and interdisciplinary consortium.
In his closing remarks, Professor João Borges emphasized the project’s success in strengthening international collaboration and positioning Aveiro as a reference hub in supramolecular biomaterials, while Professor João Mano highlighted the project’s unique transdisciplinary nature and its contribution to bridging fundamental and applied research. The conference concluded with awards for the best oral and poster presentations, underscoring the creativity and excellence that will continue to drive innovation in life-inspired materials.
