23-01-2026
Tiago Linares, Master’s in Materials Engineering from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NOVA FCT, was awarded the First Place Poster Presentation Award at the RSC Chemical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Annual Symposium 2026, held on 12–13 January at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.
The student presented a poster entitled Development of Injectable Chitosan Hydrogels Incorporating Cellulosic Nanoparticles and Derivatives for Biomedical Applications, which stood out among approximately 100 participants.
Tiago Linares’ project aims to develop injectable hydrogels capable of treating intervertebral disc degeneration—one of the main causes of lower back pain—in a less invasive way than traditional surgeries.
“We are working on an injectable composite system, made from polysaccharides and nanoparticles derived from them, designed to mimic the mechanical properties of a healthy nucleus pulposus, gel at body temperature, and ensure good injectability. The idea is to offer a less invasive and functional alternative for treating spinal problems,” explains Tiago.
This recognition highlights the research carried out at NOVA FCT and the potential of hydrogels in regenerative medicine.
