PUŠ v delovno okolje 2025/2026

PhageGuard: Interdisciplinary Development of Smart Membranes for Biofilm Prevention

Project Title: Problem-Based Learning of Students as a Bridge between Study and the Working Environment at the University of Novo Mesto
Call: Public Call for Problem-Based Learning of Students in the Working Environment: Economy, Non-Economy, and the Non-Profit Sector in the Local/Regional Environment 2024–2027 (PUŠ in the Working Environment 2024–2027), 2nd call opening

Duration: Academic year 2025/2026

Project Value: EUR 24,000.00
Funding Information: The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Academic Mentor: Dr. Katja Molan
Contact Person: Dr. Katja Molan, katja.molan@uni-nm.si, 07 393 00 23

Project Description:

The project PhageGuard: Interdisciplinary Development of Smart Membranes for Biofilm Prevention is an interdisciplinary student research project based on the use of bacteriophages—viruses that specifically infect and destroy bacteria. Due to their ability to self-replicate, bacteriophages represent a foundation for the development of smart, self-renewing antibacterial surfaces that enable sustainable prevention of bacterial biofilm formation.

Within the project, students will immobilize bacteriophages onto filtration membranes used for wastewater treatment and monitor biofilm formation in comparison with control membranes without phages. In this way, the project addresses an important economic and environmental challenge in membrane-based biological wastewater treatment, where the high cost of membranes—especially reverse osmosis systems—constitutes a significant share of operational expenses. The proposed technology offers targeted action depending on bacterial species, a self-amplifying effect, and the absence of toxic residues, positioning it as a promising sustainable alternative to existing chemical and physical methods.

The primary aim of the project is to enable students to acquire practical experience, knowledge, and interdisciplinary competencies through solving a real industrial problem. Students from various fields of study (health sciences, microbiology, mechanical engineering, environmental management, and economics) will collaborate and engage in peer learning to develop research, technical, analytical, communication, and entrepreneurial skills. A particular added value of the project is cooperation with the company Cerod d.o.o., where the project results represent a potential innovative solution for reducing both the costs and environmental impact of wastewater treatment.

The project enables a two-way transfer of knowledge between the academic and business environments. Students and academic mentors will gain insight into real industrial challenges, while the company will gain access to modern biotechnological approaches and research methods. Special emphasis is placed on the development of sustainable solutions that contribute to the green transition and promote the introduction of biological technologies into industrial practice.

The results of the project will be presented at professional events, round tables, an international scientific conference, and on the websites of the University of Novo Mesto and the company Cerod d.o.o. The PhageGuard project will have long-term effects in both education and industrial practice, as it strengthens cooperation between academia and industry, encourages innovation, and contributes to the development of sustainable, high value-added solutions.