News from the ECLectic Labs: What our Doctoral Candidates are working on

Over the past few months, the 10 Doctoral Candidates of the ECLectic Doctoral Network have taken us behind the scenes of their research activities across Europe. Through a dedicated social media campaign, each DC shared updates from the lab, showcasing the technologies, techniques, and innovations they are currently developing to advance electrochemiluminescence-based biosensing for early sepsis diagnosis.

Here’s what they’ve been up to:

🔹 DC1 – Claudia Martinez Assenjo (UNIBO)
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🔹 DC2 – Chiara Giustini (CIC biomaGUNE)
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🔹 DC3 – Nayla Naomi Kusimoto Takeuti (UMIL)
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🔹 DC4 – Elisa D’Arrigo(UBx)
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🔹 DC5 – Luigi Dragonetti (DCU)
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🔹 DC6 – Wissal El Majdoub (imec NL)
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🔹 DC7 – Ezequiel Rubiales Romero (UCM)
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🔹 DC8 – Stephania Rodríguez Muiña (BCMaterials)
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🔹 DC9 – Abdulkadir Yelwa Sadiq (UKLFR)
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🔹 DC10 – Tereza Jahodova (DBS)
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These lab snapshots give just a glimpse of the interlinked, interdisciplinary work being carried out in the ECLectic network – bridging chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering to tackle one of today’s biggest medical challenges: early and accurate diagnosis of sepsis.

Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and X for more behind-the-scenes content, and stay tuned for updates as our DCs continue their journey across academia, research labs, and industry.


ECLectic Network Event 3 on Photochemistry and ECL @ Bologna (Italy)

From June 9 to 13, the Doctoral Candidates of the ECLectic project participated in the third Network Training Event, joining the 10th edition of the Ciamician Photochemistry School hosted by the Department of Chemistry of Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna. Held in the Navile District, this week-long event offered a deep dive into the fundamentals and frontiers of photochemistry and electrochemiluminescence (ECL), with lectures by leading international experts and vibrant scientific discussions.

Throughout the week, the DCs also had the opportunity to meet in person, strengthening their network and sharing updates on their respective projects. The training was enriched by guided visits to the laboratories of Prof. Giovanni Valenti and other research groups across the Departments of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry at UniBo, offering valuable insights into the infrastructure and expertise supporting the ECLectic project.

Beyond the scientific program, the DCs also had the chance to explore the city of Bologna and discover the rich history of Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world. The visit offered an inspiring context to reflect on the tradition of academic excellence that continues to shape the future of European research.

In addition, the DCs dedicated time to reviewing the progress of their individual research activities, identifying key actions to support their peers and ensure the smooth advancement of the project as a whole. These discussions laid the groundwork for the upcoming Network Meeting 3, which will take place online on June 24. On that occasion, DCs and PIs will take a closer look at the status of each Work Package and align next steps for the overall project workflow.

Lastly, with the first secondments scheduled to begin after the summer, the event was also a chance to discuss the lab work and preparations needed before departure, ensuring a productive and coordinated secondment phase.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow the journey of the ECLectic Doctoral Candidates across Europe and beyond.

🔗 The full workshop programme is available here: https://eventi.unibo.it/ciamician-photochemistry-school/program

📷 Watch what happened during the event on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/eclectic_mscadn/


Abstract image for the publication

New paper in Chemical Communications

Overcoming kinetic barriers of remote electrochemiluminescence on boron-doped diamond via catalytic coreactant oxidation

Alessandro Fracassa, Chiara Mariani, Andrea Fiorani, Yasuaki Einaga, Conor F. Hogan, Francesco Paolucci, Neso Sojic, Paul S. Francis and Giovanni Valenti

Published in Chemical Communications

 

Abstract
The effectiveness of boron-doped diamond (BDD) as a platform for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) bead-based bioassays is hindered by the sluggish rate of heterogeneous tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) oxidation. To address this, we investigate the ECL of Ru(II)-coated microbeads in the presence of a redox mediator, exploring the effect of applied potential and electrode surface terminations. Using a redox mediator, the ECL signal on BDD is enhanced by up to 46-fold.

Abstract image for the publication "Overcoming kinetic barriers of remote electrochemiluminescence on boron-doped diamond via catalytic coreactant oxidation"


Network Event 3 will be in Bologna, focusing on photochemistry and ECL

The third Network Training Event of the ECLectic Doctoral Network is just around the corner: from Monday, June 9th to Friday, June 13th, the Doctoral Candidates of the ECLectic International Doctoral Network will be attending the X edition of the Ciamician Photochemistry School, focusing on Photochemistry and ECL. The event will be hosted by the Department of Chemistry of Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, in the new Navile District.

The Ciamician Photochemistry School brings together leading experts in photochemistry, offering a week-long program of lectures and discussions covering fundamental principles and cutting-edge developments in the field. Topics will include excited states and photochemical reactivity, supramolecular photochemistry, artificial photosynthesis, and advanced spectroscopic techniques. Particular attention will be given to Electrochemiluminescence (ECL), directly linking the program to the research and training goals of the ECLectic project.

In addition to the scientific content, the event provides a unique opportunity for ECLectic Doctoral Candidates to engage with an international community of researchers, meet their peers, broaden their scientific horizons, and strengthen their interdisciplinary training in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

You can follow all updates on our social networks!

X: https://x.com/ECLectic_MSCADN

IG: https://www.instagram.com/eclectic_mscadn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eclectic-msca-dn-83b529300/


ECLectic in Bilbao: Four days of training, science, and collaboration during Network Event 2

The second ECLectic Network Meeting & Training Event has just wrapped up, hosted by the Fundacion BCMaterials in the Leioa campus of the Universidad del País Vasco, right outside Bilbao, Spain. It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the network, share research progress, and provide valuable training for our Doctoral Candidates.

Over the course of four days, participants engaged in a blend of technical and soft skills training, scientific sessions, and networking activities that fostered collaboration across disciplines and institutions.

During Day 1 and Day 2 (April 1st and 2nd), the event was reserved for members of the ECLectic consortium. On the first day, the Doctoral Candidates took part in a series of seminars focused on creating written and visual content for effective scientific presentations and publications. The use of Artificial Intelligence was also investigated in this context, as speakers of some of the major publishing houses in the chemistry field were asked what the situation is at the moment and how to navigate it without abusing the use of this new technology. The day continued with an interactive session on communicating research to diverse audiences — from scientific peers to the general public. Participants explored various strategies for producing engaging social media content and enhancing their science outreach skills.

Day 2 was a busy day full of activities, as we both held our mid-term meeting, discussing the implementation of the project with the Project Officer from the European Research Executive Agency. Divided by work packages and guided by WP group leaders, DCs then presented updates on their individual projects, sparking insightful discussions on which technical solutions to pursue to advance in the project as a network.

Days 3 & 4 of the event (April 3rd and 4th) were dedicated to a Workshop on ECL, open to participants outside the ECLectic network. The workshop featured invited speakers from both academia and industry, creating a dynamic space for sharing insights, presenting recent breakthroughs, and engaging in hands-on training. It was a unique opportunity to deepen technical knowledge, foster collaboration, and connect with the broader ECL research community. During the poster session, junior researchers had the chance to exchange ideas with senior researchers and industry professionals, also gaining perspective on potential paths after the PhD.

🔗 The full workshop programme is available here: https://eclectic-dn.eu/workshop/

📷 Watch what happened during our 4 day event on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/eclectic_mscadn/


ECLectic Network Meeting and Training Event 2 coming soon in Bilbao

The second Network Meeting and Training Event of the ECLectic Doctoral Network is approaching, and preparations are in full swing. This time, the event will be hosted by Fundacion BCMaterials – Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, and will take place in Leioa, Bilbao (Spain) from 1 to 4 April 2025.

This 4-day gathering is a key moment in the project’s calendar and is structured around three main sessions:

Day 1 – Communication & Dissemination Training
The event will begin with a dedicated session on communication and dissemination for our Doctoral Candidates. These skills are a fundamental part of the ECLectic training programme, as the ability to effectively communicate research and its impact to different audiences is crucial for a successful scientific career.

Day 2 – Mid-Term Meeting
The second day will be dedicated to the project’s Mid-Term Meeting. This will be an opportunity for the consortium to come together and review the progress of each Doctoral Candidate in relation to the scientific and training objectives of the project. It will also foster collaboration and alignment across all partners involved.

Days 3 & 4 – Workshop on ECL
The final two days will feature a workshop focused on Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence (ECL). Open to both ECLectic participants and external researchers, this workshop aims to bring together leading experts and early-career researchers to exchange knowledge, explore the latest advancements in ECL, and take part in hands-on training sessions. It promises to be a valuable occasion for networking and learning within this dynamic field of research.
The program of the workshop on ECL can be found here: https://eclectic-dn.eu/workshop/
Registration is still open: https://eclectic-dn.eu/workshop/registration/

We look forward to welcoming our DCs, partners, and the broader scientific community to this exciting event in Bilbao.

Stay tuned for more updates!


ECLectic Network Meeting on Sepsis @ Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)

We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the first Training Event on Sepsis and ECLectic Doctoral Network Meeting, held in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, from November 18 to 20, 2024.

Hosted by UniKlinik Freiburg, the event brought together experts, researchers, and academic partners from across Europe. You can find the detailed program of talks and sessions here: Agenda EClectic Network Event 1 Freiburg

Over the course of the first two days, participants delved into advanced diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for sepsis and early sepsis detection, marking a significant step in training an intersectoral and interdisciplinary team of researchers focused on next-generation point-of-care devices.

Participants also had the unique opportunity to visit the emergency, in-patient, and intensive care units of UniKlinik Freiburg. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into how medical emergencies, sepsis diagnosis, and related procedures are managed, as well as the critical needs to face in developing effective point-of-care devices.

During Network Meeting, time was dedicated to the scientific discussion of the project and the presentation of the doctoral research program of the 10 selected doctoral candidates. Moreover, the event wasn’t just about knowledge-sharing; it also provided ample opportunities for networking and team-building. From inspiring speeches to collaborative activities, participants strengthened their connections and laid the foundation for a cohesive group of junior and senior researchers.

We’ve compiled a gallery capturing some of the event’s best moments, including highlights from the speeches and team-building activities. Take a look at the photos here.


ECLectic Network News

Meet our doctoral candidate Ezequiel Rubiales Romero

Meet our doctoral candidate: Ezequiel Rubiales Romero from Spain 🇪🇸

As part of the ECLectic doctoral network, he will work on the selection and production of recombinant antibodies (rAb) using “phage display” techniques for biomarker analysis at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain 🇪🇸) with Professor Elena Benito Peña.

Recently he completed his MSc in Biotechnology at the University of Glasgow, with the project “Investigating Next-Generation Sequencing for Diagnosis and Research of CAG Polyglutamine Disease, Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy”.

If you want to know more, click the button below and read his full bio and the description of his doctoral project in the dedicated section.


ECLectic Network Meeting on Sepsis coming up @ Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)

The first Network Meeting and Training Event of the ECLectic Doctoral Network will be taking place in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, a week from now, from 18 to 20 November 2024.

Hosted by the University of Freiburg and specifically by UniKlink Freiburg, the first Network Training Event will bring together experts, researchers, and academic partners from across Europe to explore advanced diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for early sepsis detection. In the light of training a group of intersectoral and interdisciplinary researchers investigating the development of the next generation of point-of-care devices for early sepsis diagnosis, this is a crucial appointment to understand the clinical challenge and the state-of-the-art industry situation.

The first day of the conference will feature presentations on the clinical syndromes and diagnostics of sepsis. Highlights include state-of-the-art discussions on pathogen detection, biomarkers, and innovative diagnostic approaches. Day two will focus on therapeutic management, with presentations from key figures in sepsis research.

The final day will be dedicated to the first project Network Meeting, with the presentation of all project work packages and beneficiaries and the introduction of the consortium’s selected ten doctoral candidates.


ECLectic Network News

Meet our doctoral candidate Claudia Martínez Asenjo

Meet our doctoral candidate: Claudia Martínez Asenjo from Spain 🇪🇸

As part of the ECLectic doctoral network, she will work on the ECL mechanism insight during the so-called co-reactant mechanism at University of Bologna (Italy 🇮🇹) under the supervision of Professor Giovanni Valenti.

Recently she obtained her Master’s Degree in Electrochemistry at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) with an experimental thesis on the design and synthesis of new nanomaterials for the electrocatalysis of energy conversion reactions.

If you want to know more, click the button below and read her full bio and the description of her doctoral project in the dedicated section.


ECLectic project has received funding from the European Union’s MSCA Doctoral network Horizon Europe programme Grant Agreement Number 101119951.

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