Functional Polymer Materials Team
RESEARCH PROFILE
The team’s research focuses on the interdisciplinary integration of cosmetic chemistry, materials engineering, and biomaterials for medical applications, with particular emphasis on their use in cosmetology and regenerative medicine. The studies encompass both the design and development of cosmetic formulations and the evaluation of the effects of cosmetics and active substances on the skin, including their safety, efficacy, and biological interactions.
A key area of the team’s work is the development of advanced carriers for active substances, especially those based on biopolymers, such as hydrogels, composites, and encapsulation systems. The research is focused on the encapsulation of bioactive compounds to enhance their stability, bioavailability, and controlled release, which is crucial for both cosmetic products and biomedical materials.
The team also develops materials for regenerative medicine, including biomimetic scaffolds and polymer composites intended for the regeneration of soft tissues, skin, bone, and periodontal tissues. These studies integrate knowledge from chemistry, biology, and biomaterials engineering to address current challenges and needs in modern medicine and the cosmetic industry.
GROUP MEMBERS
Dr habil. Justyna Kozłowska, University Professor (group leader)
phone: +48 (56) 611 43 14; e-mail: justynak@umk.pl
ORCID: 0000-0002-2482-339X
Dr habil. Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska, University Professor
phone: +48 (56) 611 43 45; e-mail: beata.kaczmarek@umk.pl
ORCID: 0000-0002-2563-2376
Dr Joanna Skopinska-Wiśniewska
Phone: +48 (56) 611 49 38; e-mail: joanna@chem.umk.pl
ORCID: 0000-0002-8566-2673
Postdoctoral researchers
Dr Ambika Shinde
PhD students:
- Marta Tuszyńska
- Weronika Walendziak
- Lidia Zasada
PROJECTS, GRANTS, AWARDS
Projects
- Laboratory for Functional Polymeric Materials (Justyna Kozlowska – co-leader and Joanna Skopinska- Wisniewska) is a part of the priority research team – Interdisciplinary Innovation in Personalized Medicine Team (IPM-Team) included to the Toruń Center of Excellence „Towards personalized medicine”.
- Laboratory for Functional Polymeric Materials (Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepanska – leader and Joanna Skopinska- Wisniewska) is a part of the priority research team EPIBIOMAT Research Group – Epibiocompatible Materials for Medicine and One Health.
- Laboratory for Functional Polymeric Materials (Justyna Kozlowska) is a part of the priority research team Multi-Omics Personalized Screening (MOPS).
Grants
- “Biomimetic scaffolds modified with ferulic acid dedicated to the therapy of necrotic wounds” — SONATA project funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) (UMO-2024/55/D/NZ7/01705); project duration: 18 July 2025 – 17 July 2028; Principal Investigator: Dr hab. Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska, NCU Prof.
- “Multifunctional composites with broad potential for bone and periodontal regeneration – a comprehensive approach to achieving a new quality based on known components” — OPUS 26 project funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) (2023/51/B/NZ5/01403); project duration: 2 September 2024 – 1 September 2028; consortium: Jagiellonian University in Kraków (UJ) (Leader), AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków (AGH) (Partner); Project Leader at NCU: Dr hab. Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska, NCU Prof.
- “New Functional Materials for 3D Printing for UROlogical Needs”, 2020-2024, Consortium: Lodz University of Technology, Warsaw University of Technology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Sygnis S.A. NCBiR Grant TECHMATSTRATEG2/407770/2/NCBR/2020 dr Joanna Skopińska-Wiśniewska
- “Lyophilisate of glycosaminoglycans and collagen from fish skins for biomedical applications” — NCBR, No. TANGO-V-A/0020/2021-00; 2022–2023; Principal Investigator: Dr Beata Kaczmarek-Szczepańska.
- “New materials containing microparticles incorporated into polymer matrix for medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications” – UMO-2016/21/D/ST8/01705, Sonata, NCN, 2017-2022, dr Justyna Kozłowska
Patents
- Method for producing a cosmetic composition for exfoliating epidermal cells, Kozłowska Justyna, Prus Weronika; Patent No. 239755.
- Preservative agent for cosmetics, especially cosmetic emulsions, Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata, Michalska-Sionkowska Marta, Mazur Olha, Warżyńska Oliwia, Walczak Maciej; Patent No. 244340.
- Cosmetic preparation for cleansing and exfoliating the epidermis and a method for its production, Kozłowska Justyna, Prus-Walendziak Weronika; Patent No. 236187.
- Cosmetic preparation for skin care, Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata; Patent No. 246195.
Awards
- Gold Medal at the international E-NNOVATE 2022 fair (Bydgoszcz, Poland) for the invention “An oncological cosmetic intended for skin care of people after the removal of neoplastic lesions”.
- Gold Medal at the international E-NNOVATE 2023 fair (Bydgoszcz, Poland) for the invention “Lyophilisate of collagen and glycosaminoglycans isolated from fish skin”.
- Gold Medal at the international EUROINVENT 2023 fair (Iași, Romania) for the invention “Lyophilisate of collagen and glycosaminoglycans isolated from fish skin”.
- Gold medal at the INTARG® 2024 (Katowice, Poland) for the invention: “Injectable dual-setting bone cement based on magnesium-potassium phosphate and alginate hydrogel”.
- Gold medal at the IPITEx 2025 (Bangkok, Tajlandia) for the invention: „Plant-Powered Freeze-Dried Emulsions and Bigels for EcoSmart Cosmetics”