Report written by Dr Yiannis Sarigiannis, Associate Professor, LIFE AND HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA, Cyprus
Padova, Italy — The University of Padova hosted the last meeting of the COST Action CA23111, titled “Searching for Nanostructured or pOre fOrming Peptides for therapY” (SNOOPY). This dynamic event gathered leading academics from across Europe, fostering an environment of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovative thinking in the field of peptide research. The meeting was locally organized by Professor Marta De Zotti from the University of Padova.
The SNOOPY Action is led by Dr. Daniela Kalafatovic and Prof. Silvia Marchesan, Chair and Vice – Chair respectively, whose leadership has been instrumental in driving the multidisciplinary initiatives of the Action. Their guidance has fostered collaboration among experts and emerging researchers across various scientific disciplines, significantly contributing to the success of the Padova meeting.
The SNOOPY Action represents a multidisciplinary initiative, uniting experts and emerging researchers from chemistry, biology, biochemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, medicine, and physics. The meeting in Padova served as a crucial platform to discuss groundbreaking advancements in predicting and implementing bioactive peptides’ ability to self-assemble into functional nanostructures. These nanostructures hold immense potential in various therapeutic applications, including targeted cancer therapy, drug delivery, regenerative medicine, antimicrobial development, and combating amyloidoses.
The meeting commenced on January 14 with a welcome session, followed by an update on COST rules presented by Administrative Officer Matthew Borg. Key presentations included an introduction by the Action Chair and Grant Holder Manager, highlighting participation statistics, the involvement of Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs), Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs), and budget discussions. Sessions led by the Grant Awarding Coordinator and Short-Term Scientific Missions (STMS) Coordinator further enriched the administrative discussions with vibrant Q&A segments promoting active engagement.
In the afternoon, Working Group 4 (WG4), responsible for communicating and disseminating the Action, held a dedicated session focusing on the SNOOPY website development. They also presented ideas for future activities to enhance the Action’s visibility and outreach, fostering creative contributions from the network. The day concluded with a cultural visit to Galileo’s Desk and the Anatomical Theatre, followed by a networking dinner.
On January 15, the meeting continued with comprehensive sessions from the Leaders of Working Groups 1, 2, and 3, each presenting their ongoing activities and facilitating in-depth discussions:
- WG1 (Computational Methods for Assessment of Peptides & Peptide Nanostructures) focused on developing in silico and machine learning approaches to predict and design bioactive peptides. Key objectives include standardizing computational practices, enhancing reproducibility, and establishing a GitHub-based online repository to support data sharing and collaboration across disciplines.
- WG2 (Production and Characterization of Bioactive Peptides & Peptide Nanostructures) emphasized improving peptide production efficiency, sustainability, and advanced characterization techniques. Discussions covered green synthesis approaches, standardization of physico-chemical and biological methods, and fostering synergies with other WGs to support data-driven peptide development.
- WG3 (Biological studies and applications of peptides & related nanostructures focused on biological testing and validation of bioactive peptides, highlighting collaborative efforts to integrate computational predictions and experimental results for comprehensive peptide analysis.
A central theme of the meeting was the emphasis on nurturing young researchers, providing them with opportunities to engage with experienced scientists, and encouraging cross-border collaborations. This commitment aligns with the broader goals of the SNOOPY Action to foster creativity, promote scientific excellence, and contribute to sustainable technological advancements in Europe.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments to collaborative projects and upcoming research initiatives to address some of society’s most pressing health and technological challenges. The vibrant exchange of ideas and the establishment of new academic connections underscored the success of the Padova gathering, reinforcing the vital role of the SNOOPY COST Action in shaping the future of peptide science.
