1. Congratulations to Marijan-Pere on Receiving the “Ivan Plotnikov” Award

We proudly congratulate our project team member, Dr Marijan-Pere Marković, on receiving the prestigious “Ivan Plotnikov” Award of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb. The award recognizes the Faculty’s best young scientist based on publications in Web of Science-indexed journals in the preceding calendar year, taking into account journal impact and the researcher’s contribution.

Congratulations, Marijan-Pere, on this well-deserved recognition, and we wish you continued success in your scientific career!

2. Student Research within the NatSynFlow Project

As part of the Chemical Engineering Laboratory course, students Vanja Perković, Sara Pavković and Anđela Petrović are investigating the “Influence of the composition and physicochemical properties of deep eutectic solvents on the solubility and stability of resveratrol and its dimers”, under the supervision of Anita Šalić and Milena Mlakić.

Linked to the activities of the NatSynFlow project, their research explores how solvent composition and properties affect the solubility and stability of selected bioactive compounds. Through experimental work, the students will gain practical experience in preparing and characterising deep eutectic solvents and evaluating their potential as media for resveratrol and its dimers.

3. NatSynFlow at ECP2026

Next week, the NatSynFlow team will participate in the 5th International Electronic Conference on Processes (ECP2026), held online from 20 to 22 October 2026, with the poster:

“Design of a ceramic monolith millireactor for enzymatic resveratrol dimerization using an immobilized GOx-HRP cascade”

The poster presents a ceramic monolith millireactor design integrating an immobilized glucose oxidase–horseradish peroxidase (GOx–HRP) cascade for enzymatic resveratrol dimerization.

We look forward to sharing our research and exchanging ideas with the international scientific community!

4. Visit to University North and Collaboration on Biflavonoid Research

On 1 October 2026, Anita Šalić, PI of the NatSynFlow project, visited University North to carry out part of the project’s experimental work in collaboration with the research group led by Assoc. prof. Dunja Šamec.

Dunja's group is recognised as one of the leading groups in biflavonoid research in Croatia and the wider region. The visit brought together complementary expertise and research facilities, further strengthening collaboration in the study of natural bioactive compounds.

5. Project Team Presents at ECCS 2026

Members of our project team participated in the 4th International Electronic Conference on Catalysis Sciences (ECCS 2026), held online from 22 to 24 September 2026. The team contributed one poster presentation and one oral presentation delivered as a Selected Speaker. The conference provided an opportunity to share our research with the international catalysis community.

6. New HPLC System Strengthens NatSynFlow Research Capabilities

The NatSynFlow research team has expanded its analytical capabilities with a new Shimadzu Nexera XR HPLC/UHPLC system equipped with a DAD detector. The system enables efficient separation, identification and quantification of natural bioactive compounds, substrates and products of chemical and biocatalytic reactions.

This advanced instrument will provide essential analytical support for reaction monitoring, process optimisation and product characterisation within the NatSynFlow project.

7. Congratulations to Milena on Receiving the “Leopold Ružička” Award

 (Picture source: Croatian Chemical Society)

We proudly congratulate our project team member, Milena Mlakić, on receiving the prestigious “Leopold Ružička” Award of the Croatian Chemical Society. The award recognizes outstanding scientific achievements by young researchers in the field of chemistry in Croatia.

The award was presented during the Solutions in Chemistry and RiChem 2026 conference in Rijeka, where Milena also delivered an invited lecture entitled “Resveratrol-Inspired Diarylethenes as Multifunctional Neuroprotective Agents.”

Congratulations, Milena, on this well-deserved recognition, and we wish you continued success in your scientific career!

8. First Project Results Presented at the 21st Ružička Days

This week, project team members Filip Car and Marijan-Pere Marković are participating in the international scientific and professional conference 21st Ružička Days “Today Science – Tomorrow Industry”, held in Vukovar from 9 to 11 September 2026. During the conference, they presented the first results obtained within the project to the scientific and professional community. Their participation provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with other researchers and to increase the visibility of the project and its activities. Further information about the conference is available on the official Ružička Days website.

9. Welcoming an Erasmus+ Trainee to the NatSynFlow Project

We are pleased to welcome Ebru Cemile Özer from Uludağ University (Türkiye) to the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, where she is undertaking a two-month Erasmus+ traineeship from 13 July to 16 September 2026.

During her internship, Ebru will join the NatSynFlow project and contribute to research focused on the isolation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and its application in the enzymatic dimerization of natural monomers. Through hands-on laboratory work, she will gain experience in enzyme extraction, activity determination, and the development of sustainable biocatalytic processes.

We are delighted to have Ebru as part of our research team and wish her a productive and inspiring traineeship. Welcome to Zagreb and the NatSynFlow project!

10. Project Featured in Kemija u industriji

We are pleased to announce that our project has been featured in the Croatian scientific and professional journal Kemija u industriji (Chemistry in Industry). The published article presents the project's objectives, research concept, and its contribution to the development of sustainable chemical engineering through the application of innovative microreactor technologies.

The article also highlights the project's interdisciplinary approach, which combines continuous-flow processing, green chemistry, and modern catalytic systems to develop more efficient and sustainable chemical processes.

The full article is available on the HRČAK portal: https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/502296  

11. Project Presented at the Professional Conference "From Molecule to Plate"

On 16 July 2026, Anita Šalić participated in the professional conference "From Molecule to Plate: Science and Technology Shaping the Future of Food", organized by the Society of Chemists and Chemical Engineers of Koprivnica.

During the lecture "Microsystems for Macro Results: How Miniaturization is Transforming Chemical Engineering", the project was presented as an example of how microreactor technology can accelerate the sustainable synthesis of natural bioactive compounds and their analogues. The presentation highlighted the integration of green solvents, enzymatic and chemical catalysis, and continuous-flow microreactor systems as an innovative platform for developing new functional molecules while improving process efficiency, sustainability, and scalability.

12. Marijan-Pere Marković Participated in the EuroMBR Summer School on Microfluidics

Our colleague Marijan-Pere Marković participated in the 7th European Summer School on Microfluidics (EuroMBR), held from 13–17 July 2026 at University College London (UCL), United Kingdom. The programme brought together researchers and experts from across Europe to explore the latest advances in microfluidics, including microreactor technology, bioprocess development, enzyme immobilization, and biocatalysis.

Participation in this international training provided an excellent opportunity to gain new knowledge, exchange experiences with leading researchers, and establish valuable scientific connections. The knowledge and skills acquired during the Summer School will further support the activities and objectives of our project.

Part of the costs associated with Marijan-Pere Marković's participation in the Summer School was funded through this project, supporting the professional development of young researchers and strengthening the project's research capacity and international collaboration.

13. Project Presented at the 17th EuChemS Young Investigator Workshop 2026

We are pleased to share that Milena Mlakić participated in the 17th EuChemS Young Investigator Workshop, held on 10–11 July 2026 at the Solvay Institutes in Brussels, Belgium. The two-day workshop brought together outstanding early-career researchers from more than 20 countries, providing a platform for scientific exchange, mentoring, and networking in the field of organic chemistry. The event is organized by the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) and alternates with the larger EuChemS Chemistry Congress, highlighting promising young investigators from across Europe. As part of her presentation, Milena briefly introduced the objectives and research activities of our project, presenting its vision, scientific approach, and expected impact to an international audience of researchers. The workshop provided an excellent opportunity to increase the visibility of the project, exchange ideas with leading young scientists, and establish new international connections for future collaboration. We congratulate Milena on representing the project and contributing to its international promotion.

14. Introducing the NatSynFlow Project at the GinkoBiFlav Final Conference

As part of the Final Conference of the GinkoBiFlav project – “The Role of Biflavonoids in Plants: Ginkgo biloba L. as a Model System” (UIP-2019-04-1018), held on 15 May 2026 at University North, University Centre Koprivnica, Koprivnica, Croatia, within the lecture delivered by Anita Šalić, the project “Synthesis of Natural Active Molecules and Their Analogues in Milli- and Microflow Systems” was announced. 

15.  NatSynFlow Project Officially Launched with Kick-Off Meeting

On 27 April 2026, the first project meeting of the NatSynFlow project was held, bringing together all project team members to discuss the project's scope, expected outcomes, and implementation strategy. Particular attention was devoted to coordinating research activities, defining responsibilities, and establishing a timeline of planned tasks for the upcoming project period, ensuring an efficient start to the project activities.