Advanced research and Training Network in Food quality, safety and security

Project Duration: 2021-2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS coordinator

Cellulose from waste and bacteria in electro-spinning for continuous fibre reinforced 3D printed composites – BioCel3D

Project Duration: 1.9.2022-31.8.2025
Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič

ADVOCATING THE ROLE OF SILK ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE AT NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN SCALE (ARACNE)

Project Duration: 1.3.2023-february 2026

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič

Designing novel bio-based fibre products (FibreNet/No.764713)

Project Duration: 2018-ends May 2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Rupert Kargl/FS coordinator

Contrast by nuclear quadrupole enhanced relaxation (Conquer/No.665172)

Project Duration: 2018-2020

Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek/FS coordinator

Renewable materials and healthy environments research and innovation centre of excellence (InnoRenew CoE/ No.739574)

Project Duration: 2015-2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek, Silvo Hribernik/FS coordinator

TOwards a Goal of Efficiency Through Energy
(TOGETHER/CE51)

Project Duration: 2016-2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik/FS coordinator



Members of our group participated in the TOGETHER project at the Faculty of Energy, University of Maribor. The aim of the project was to raise awareness among owners, managers, and users of public buildings to use energy more efficiently (heating/cooling, water, electricity, etc.). To this end, tools were developed, manuals written, and a number of workshops were held, presenting an integrated approach with financial and demand-side energy management and the use of materials to achieve efficient energy performance. Preserving the environment and using energy efficiently is important for all of us, because each of us, through our behaviour and habits, has a direct impact on the use of energy resources and the protection of the environment for a better tomorrow. We have therefore prepared a colouring book for the youngest children (see pdf)), which presents the importance of energy saving in a friendly way through a story. For the slightly older ones we have prepared ORIGAMI and for the general public we have prepared an e-book, which includes the results achieved, with a focus on their realisation in the pilot buildings in the 8 regions of the project partners, and a collection of “true stories” written by all the project partners.

Designing new renewable nano-structured materials (NanoElMem/C3330-17- 500098)

Project Duration: 2017-2020

Project Leader/coordinator: Mojca Božič/FS coordinator

Wood-based aerogels (Aerowood/No.14-500041)

Project Duration: 2014-2017

Project Leader/coordinator: Silvo Hribernik/FS coordinator

Polysaccharide bioshapes-chemical design and shaping into new Biomaterials (Bioshapes/3330-14- 500042)

Project Duration: 2014-2017

Project Leader/coordinator: Silvo Hribernik/FS coordinator

European Network Bioadhesion “ENBA”

Project Duration: 2016- 2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič

EropeanEuropean Network on Smart Inorganic Polymers (SIPs)

Project Duration: 2013-2017

Project Leader/coordinator: Karin Stana Kleinschek

European Network Bioadhesion “ENBA”

Project Duration: 2016-2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič

Developing an experiential, nature-close innovative pedagogy for primary schools (Back to Nature
16/1/KA201/022992)

Project Duration: 2016-2018

Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik



The aim of the project was to promote the acquisition of key competences through experiential learning in order to provide pupils with knowledge that they can apply in different contexts of everyday life. Special attention was also paid to competences that are transferable, which means that they are applicable not only in one situation but also in many other situations and contexts. The teaching material prepared includes : i) Everyday life in the built environment, ii) Healthy lifestyles, iii) Biodiversity and iv) Environmental education from a global perspective. The material is designed to help teachers prepare lessons and contains a theoretical part and methodological approaches, as well as to help pupils acquire the knowledge to think critically and to evaluate the consequences of technological development on the environment.

Infrastructure Programme 2015-2022 OU CORE@UM

Project Duration: 2015-2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik



The Infrastructure Programme of the University of Maribor (IP UM) consisted of 4 organisational units: the Botanical Garden OU, the UCEM OU, the RCUM OU and the CORE@UM OU. Zdenka Peršin Fratnik and then Manja Kurečič headed the CORE@UM OU, which consisted of 5 member faculties as the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Faculty of Medicine. The CORE@UM OU supported research in the following areas: i) materials and technologies (innovative technological and computational approaches), ii) advanced computing (3D modelling, cloud computing), and iii) quantitative methods for dealing with complex systems (diseases, cities, financial markets, entrepreneurship, etc.). To this end, it shared state-of-the-art experimental equipment, which, due to its technical and operational sophistication, is unique in the country and in the wider European area.

Bio-protective cultures and bioactive extracts as sustainable combined strategies to improve the shelf-life of perishable Mediterranean food (BIO PROMED FOOD)

Project Duration: 2020-2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

The development of a highly sensitive electrochemical method for trace determination of antibiotic compounds based on magnetic polymeric nanocomposites in environmental systems

Project Duration: 1.10.2022-30.9.2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Olivija Plohl



The main aim of this project is to prepare novel hybrid nanocomposites based on polysaccharides (chitosan, pullulan, carrageenan, dextrane, focuidan, chondroitin sulfate, etc. with target functional group) together with core-shell magnetic-silica nanoparticles (MNPs@SiO2) with controlled physicochemical properties. The as-synthesised nanocomposites will serve as modified nanomaterials for further electrochemical electrode modification (from glassy-carbon electrode (GCE) to screen-printed electrodes (SPE)). Subsequently, the analytical performance of the designed electrode will be fully validated for the sensing application of selected (most problematic) antibiotics commonly released in the environment (i.e. sulfonamides, tetracyclines, penicillin and fluoroquinolones). The constructed nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor is expected to have lower LOD, higher sensitivity, selectivity to specific antibiotic and wider linear concentration range compared to the current state-of-the-art electrochemical sensors.

Advanced technological processes for the recycling of waste keratin biomass and the development of new functional keratin-based bio-products

Project Duration: 1.10.2022-30.9.2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/ FS coordinator

L2-3174 Low-emission household machine drying with damage evaluation of textile materials

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9.2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ FS coordinator

J2-2487 Bioactive, in situ modified, fibrous membranes based on bacterial cellulose: processing, characterization and evaluation of biomedical applicability

Project Duration: 1.9.2020-31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

J7-2593 Development of bioactive nanostructured fibrous membranes for prolonging the quality of fresh fruit

Project Duration: 1.9.2020-31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

J4-2545 Self-assembling and advanced biopolymer coatings for microencapsulation of probiotics and starter cultures

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

A strategy to improve the quality of life and orthopaedic treatment of cartilage lesions – Advanced 3D (bio)printed scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Project Duration: 1.9.2020―31.8.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič/FS koordinator

research of solid-liquid interactions between polysaccharide model scaffold films and proteins/glycosaminoglycans (e.g. aggrecan, collagen, hyaluronic acid) promoting chondrocyte growth. Development of 3D printed polysaccharide-based scaffolds for cell growth.

J2-1728 Initial stages of surface functionalization of polymers by plasma radicals

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-30.6.2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project leader

J3-1762 A new innovative approach to the treatment of diaper rash using diapers with embedded probiotic bacteria

Project Duration: 1.7.2019-31.12.2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič /FS coordinator

N2-0087 Development of new graphene-based membranes and electrodes for use in ethanol fuel cells

Project Duration: 1.1.2019-31.12.2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

J4-1764 DeacidCellulose – Multifunctional polysaccharide composite nanoparticles for deacidification of historical cellulose-based artifacts

Project Duration: 107/2019 – 06/2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič



research of colloids from alkaline particles (e.g. nano CaCO3 particles) stabilised by cellulose polymers and their application on acidic paper artifacts including library books. Comparison of the developed treatment processes with the “best practice” processes available.

Z2-9216
Biofunctionalisation of polyester materials for vascular grafts with aminoacids, peptides, and glucosaminoglicans for controlled adhesion of proteins and improved endothelization

Project Duration: 1.7.2018―30.6.2020

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič

J1-9169 Multifunctional bioactive coatings on different substrates for biomedical applications

Project Duration: 1.7.2018-30.6.2021

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

V4-1611 Production of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Slovenia

Project Duration: 1.10.12016-30.9.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/ project partner

J4-7640 Electrostatic immobilization of bacteria and influence on their physiology

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

L7-7566 Advanced hemocompatible surfaces of vascular stents

Project Duration: 1.3.2016 – 28.2.2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Manja Kurečič/FS koordinator

J2-7413 Development of multifunctional electrospun nanofibers and study of dynamic interactions with pathogenic bacteria

Project Duration: 1/1/2016 – 31/12/2018

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/ project leader

N4-0145 Bio-protective cultures and bioactive extracts as sustainable combined strategies to improve the shelf-life of perishable Mediterranean food

Project Duration: 1.3.2020―28.2.2023

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

L2-3163 Development of safe multifunctional surfaces for catheters to prevent the formation of biofilms (DemoCat)

Project Duration: 1.10.2021-30.9. 2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Lidija Fras Zemljič/FS koordinator

Development and characterization of novel bioresorbable zinc alloys for biomedical applications

Project Duration: 01.01.2022 – 31.12.2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Matej Bračič



research of biocompatibility of zinc alloys with blood proteins and osteoblast cells.

Development of biodegradable and functional plastics for products with added value

Project Duration: 2019-2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Klementina Pušnik Črešnar



Focus on preparaation of innovative bioplastics, at the same time with functionality added

Advanced processing of biomass as a basis for recycled materials

Project Duration: 1.6.2017 do 31.7.2020

Project Leader/coordinator: Olivija Plohl

Student Innovative Projects for Social Benefit for the academic years 2018/2019 and 2019/2020
Eco-creative products with the characteristics of the Savinja Valley” (acronym SPOMINKI)

Project Duration: O3/2019 –06/2019

Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik



The challenge of the project was to use waste and/or discarded materials and especially their combinations to create a souvenir, highlighting one or more characteristics of the Savinja Valley. The project produced 36 unique products that are aesthetic and useful, which also makes them commercially interesting.

Student Innovative Projects for Social Benefit for the academic year 2017/2018 Unique products with the story of Pomurje” (acronym POMURJE)

Project Duration: O6/2018 –09/2018

Project Leader/coordinator: Zdenka Peršin Fratnik



The aim of the project was to develop new and ground-breaking existing products of the project partner (Varstveno delovni center Murska Sobota), which would help to increase the visibility of both the partner and the local environment. Forty unique products were realised, which exude the character of Pomurje, either its geographical or relief structure, or a distinctive element from its gastronomy, historical traditions, or architecture.

Preparation of three dimensional structures of polysaccharide derivatives for application in regenerative medicine

Project Duration: End in 2022

Project Leader/coordinator: Andreja Dobaj Štiglic



PhD research focuses on polysaccharide- or polysaccharide-protein-based hydrogels to develop various three-dimensional (3D) cell-friendly scaffolds with tailored properties suitable for various tissue engineering applications.

Preparation of amino acid and peptide polysaccharide derivatives and their application as biomaterials

Project Duration: In progress

Project Leader/coordinator: Ana Bratuša

Development of pH responsive polysaccharide based wound dressings

Project Duration: In progress

Project Leader/coordinator: Beste Elveren

Development of multifunctional PLA-copolymer by incorporating active agents as colloidal formulation for active food packaging applications

Project Duration: 3 years – MSCA -ITN FoodTRAnet programme

Project Leader/coordinator: Athira John

Insight into the Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Bioactive Biopolymer Coatings on Protective Medical Textiles as a Strategy Against Common Hospital Associated Infections

Project Duration: 1.10.2022 – 1.10.2025

Project Leader/coordinator: Saša Kaloper

Development Of New Mycelium Composite Engineering Material With Improved Mechanical Properties Used For Additive Manufacturing

Project Duration: 2023 – 2027

Project Leader/coordinator: Doris Bračič

Development of silicone-polysaccharide hybrid materials to inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilms

Project Duration: 1.10.2021 – 1.10.2024

Project Leader/coordinator: Katja Kuzmič