“Nature is the best chemist.“ Interview with Mario Monaco, visiting PhD student from the University of Padua
How can chemistry help in eye treatment, and why is nature still the best source of inspiration? Mario Monaco, a doctoral student at the University of Padua, worked on developing materials for eye surgery during his stay at the Faculty of Chemistry. In this interview, he discusses his research, his experiences from his international internship, and the role that failure plays in science.
Mario, you are currently a PhD student at the University of Padua. What motivated you to pursue research in chemical sciences, particularly in biomedical materials?
I have always loved chemistry. I never had doubts about what I wanted to study. During my PhD, I wanted to follow a project from the beginning and see how far it could go. Materials science has always interested me, and biomedical application felt like a natural consequence.
What I find especially meaningful is that in biomedical research you can truly help people. You are not only studying molecules, you are potentially improving someone’s health. That gives the work real purpose.
At the Faculty of Chemistry conference in November, you received the scientific committee award for your work Multifunctional molecules for application in ophthalmic surgery. What does this recognition mean to you personally?
It was a big achievement for me. It was the first time during my PhD that I could openly present and explain my work to a broader audience. Much of my research is connected to industrial collaboration, so I am not always free to discuss it in detail.
Receiving appreciation from people other than my supervisor was very important. It meant that the project resonates beyond my immediate research group.
For someone outside chemistry, how would you explain your research in simple terms?
My research focuses on finding a softer and less invasive way to treat retinal detachment. Currently, the damaged area is often treated with laser, which essentially burns the tissue to reattach it. But using laser inside the eye is quite aggressive.
Our idea is to develop a polymer-based patch that covers the damaged area and keeps it stable. The tissue can then heal naturally. We are not adding drugs. We are simply stabilizing the area and letting biology do its job. It is a more natural way to support recovery.
There are many variables to consider. First, cytotoxicity – everything we use must be safe. Not only the material itself, but also any degradation products must be harmless.
Then there is sterilization, elasticity, permeability, and degradation time. The patch must stay in place long enough for the retina to heal, maybe three to four weeks, but not so long that it creates complications. It must allow gases and fluids to move naturally and should not disturb the delicate structure of the eye.
It is a very fine balance.
Your work involves dendrimers. What makes these polymers so promising?
Dendrimers are highly tunable. You can design them exactly as you need. They act as anchor points where other polymer chains can attach. In our system, the biopolymer forms most of the network, and the dendrimer supports it, helping the chains connect more efficiently.
That flexibility in design is what makes dendrimers so attractive.
Your research was partly inspired by mussels. Why is nature such a powerful source of inspiration?
Nature is the best chemist.
Mussels can anchor themselves firmly to rocks in water. Since the eye is also a water-based environment, we thought we could learn from that mechanism. However, we discovered some limitations, especially related to potential toxicity and practical surgical application.
Still, looking at natural systems is often the best starting point because we already know that they work.
You are now using visible-light-activated crosslinking. Why is visible light important?
The eye is extremely sensitive. UV light is harmful, especially to rods and cones. We want to avoid UV at all costs.
Visible light is much safer. It activates the system only when a specific photocatalyst is present, which gives us control. Without the catalyst, nothing happens. With light activation, the liquid precursor forms a stable hydrogel patch in under one minute.
What has been the most exciting moment in your research so far? 
The moment I tested my best formulation in an eye model and saw the patch form exactly as expected. It formed in under one minute, had the right elasticity, and remained stable.
After many failed attempts, seeing it finally work was incredible. That was definitely one of the most exciting moments of my PhD.
How close are we to seeing such light-activated adhesives in clinical practice?
We are still in early stages. We need in vivo testing, clinical trials, and scaling up. Reproducibility is also critical. In research, small variations are acceptable. In clinical applications, they are not.
If toxicity challenges are fully resolved, I believe we could see something within less than a decade. But clinical translation always takes time.
Why did you choose to spend your research stay here at our faculty?
I knew Prof. Pekař from literature. He is one of the experts in the specific biopolymers I am working with. It was a perfect opportunity to learn from someone with deep expertise.
I also received a lot of support from colleagues here, especially in rheological measurements and material characterization. That collaboration is very valuable.
How would you compare the research environment here and in Padova?
In both places, I found very supportive and kind colleagues. One difference is that here each instrument is usually supervised by a specialist. That makes it easier to ask questions and understand the details.
I also appreciate the faculty events here, like the Christmas party and the Valentine’s dance. These kinds of events create a strong community feeling.
What do you hope to achieve during your stay?
I would like to complete a detailed characterization of the rheological properties of my samples. I am also working on accelerated degradation studies to simulate long-term stability. Since the final product should ideally have a shelf life of about two years, we use elevated temperatures to simulate aging and evaluate changes over time.
It is important to combine academic curiosity with industrial relevance.
In your experience, how important is international collaboration in biomedical research?
Collaboration helps us solve problems faster. In biomedical research, achieving results faster can mean improving health or even saving lives.
What advice would you give to students considering a PhD?
A PhD is demanding. You must be mentally prepared to face failure. Research is mostly failure. You will fail many times.
The key is not to see failure as an endpoint but as a lesson. If something does not work, ask what you can change. Learn from it.
And in biomedical research, be open to interdisciplinary learning. Even if it is not your original field, you must be willing to understand other perspectives.
Finally, how are you enjoying your time in Brno?
I really enjoy the city. It is large but calm. Public transport works very well, and bureaucracy was surprisingly easy. I also love the city centre and Špilberk Castle. And of course, the Christmas markets were beautiful.
I made new friends, travelled around the region, and experienced a different cultural atmosphere. It has been a very positive experience.
Thank you for the interview and we wish you much success in the future!
-jo-
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| Link | https://www.fch.vut.cz/en//f96620/d323046 |