LIFE+ program project “Alina Life Formulations in Open-Source Platform (LIFE ALFIO)” (2019-2022). Project partner: Dr.sc.ing. Olita Medne. The general objective was to reduce the impact of toxic chemicals on the environment and human health by reducing and replacing toxic biocidal and VOC paint and coating components with safe, sustainable and new organoclay material. Specific objectives of the project was: To pilot the use of organoclay additives in 16 environmentally friendly, reduced VOC and biocide-free paints and recipes as a transferable solution in the production of paints and coatings. And to promote and make easily transferable VOC and biocide reduction opportunities by developing an online platform: 1) for publishing paint formulations, 2) for transparency and traceability of paint and coating components, 3) for industry communication. The project provided a toolkit for the paint and coating industry to replace toxic chemicals. The new approach to a public online platform with published formulations and the ability to track components will increase industry knowledge and facilitate transparency of product values.

Fundamental and applied research project No. lzp-2018/1-0238 “Future of synthetic bone graft materials – in vivo guided biosynthesis of biomimetic hydroxyapatite” (2018-2021). Project leader Jānis Ločs. Despite all the performed biomaterial related research for the last decades, more effective materials for regeneration of damaged bone tissue caused by aging, diseases, trauma and pathologies are still needed. Aim of the project was to develop synthetic bone regenerating material with excellent properties that are comparable with “gold standard”, i.e., natural bone. Material we are working with is biomimetic amorphous calcium phosphate. Amorphous calcium phosphate is considered to be the first inorganic phase, which form new bone tissue. Both amorphous calcium phosphate and natural bone mineral is mostly made of calcium and phosphorus elements. Nevertheless, natural bone comprises small amounts of other elements, e.g., magnesium, strontium, zinc, sodium, potassium and fluorine. Within framework of the project amorphous calcium phosphate containing these elements will be obtained, thus approaching natural bone in terms of composition, properties and performance.

“Application of cold sintering process for preparation of bioceramics and biocomposites with enhanced properties” (2019-2021) No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/318. Leader: Dr.sc.ing. Kristaps Rubenis. For a long time, scientists have tried to minimize sintering temperature of ceramic materials, therefore, the recently discovered Cold Sintering Process (CSP) have attracted great interest, since it allows to sinter and integrate various materials at temperatures below 300 °C. So far, CSP practically have not been used to produce bioceramics and biopolymer/bioceramic composites, although this method could substantially improve various properties of the respective materials as compared to the ones produced by conventional techniques. Therefore, the goal of the present project is to obtain bioceramics and biocomposites with improved mechanical properties and bioactivity by using the CSP. The main tasks include preparation of different bioceramic and biocomposite materials by CSP as well as their characterization. Through reaching the scientific goal, novel methodologies will be developed, and post-doctorate will build his scientific capacity in multidisciplinary fields and this knowledge will help him to become a mature researcher. The obtained results will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals with high impact factors and presented in relevant scientific conferences. It is expected that the developed materials will be used for the further clinical studies and in future will be transferred to industry.

“Bioceramic-Based Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration and Controlled-Release Local Delivery of Antimicrobials” (2018-2021) No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/339. Leader: Dr.sc.ing. Līga Stīpniece. The project was aimed to develop highly porous calcium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds containing bacteriophages coated on the surface and antibacterial metal ions (Ag(I), Ti(IV)) within the bulk structure through immobilization techniques, which preserves the stability of the antimicrobials over time and ensures release in a controlled manner over time to fight against resurgence of multiresistant bacteria antibiotics. The project presents an alternative approach for biomaterials associated infections prevention by development of materials with dual-functionality, namely, osteoconductivity and antibacterial capability provided by the use of the antibacterial ions and the bacteriophages instead of classical approach, i.e. antibiotics. The implementation of the activities of the project contributes to reaching one of the goals of Latvian Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) 6^th growth priority the development of 2^nd and 3^rd Smart Specialization Area – Biomedicine, medical technologies, bio-pharmacy and biotechnology and Smart materials, technology and engineering systems.

EuroNanoMed3 project “NANOstructured oSteoChOndral scaffold: novel biomimetic tRiggErS for enhanced bone regeneration (NANO-SCORES)” (2018-2021). Project leader Jānis Ločs. Degeneration of the articular osteochondral tissues pain and decreased function leading to osteoarthritis. Till now, only one osteochondral scaffold (developed by two partners of the project consortium) has been translated in the clinical practice to restore the damaged joint surface. Results have been satisfactory for the cartilage layer, but regeneration of the subchondral bone by the scaffold has to be improved. The NANO-SCORES project aims to improve this clinically tested osteochondral scaffold by introducing two new nano-strategies: (i) nanostructured “ion banks” in the form of amorphous calcium phosphate granules with Sr and (ii) bioactive peptides, such as SDF1, PDGFBB, BMP2 and GDF5 bioconjugated to the scaffold.

“Drug and growth factor dual delivery from different biomaterial carriers for bine tissue engineering (2ForBone)” (2018-2020). Project leader: Arita Dubnika. The goal of the 2ForBone project was to develop an antibiotic drug and growth factor dual delivery systems on the basis of different biomaterial scaffolds (bioceramics, hydrogels and bone cements) and compare these systems, to develop better drug and growth factor biomaterial carriers than these, currently available for the bone tissue engineering in clinics. The study was designed in three stages, starting from material development till their characterization in vitro. Accordingly, direct comparisons among a material preparation and different characterization data (i.e. chemical, mechanical, release kinetics, cytotoxicity, etc) were ensured.

“Multifunctional calcium phosphate and biodegradable polymer composites for therapeutic bone tissue engineering” (No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/045) (2017-2020). Project leader: Kristīne Šalma-Ancāne. Repair and healing fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer still remains a major clinical challenge in orthopaedic surgery. The scientific objective of proposed project was to develop novel multifunctional composites and composite hydrogels based on nanosized hydroxyapatite and biodegradable polymers such as ɛ- poly(L-lysine) or poly(vinyl alcohol) loaded with the antiosteoporotic agent strontium ranelate or the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin for bone fracture healing and effective local therapeutic treatment of osteoporosis or bone cancer. The composites and composite hydrogels were developed by novel advantageous methodology using in situ synthesis of hydroxyapatite in drug containing polymer solution and spray drying technology or freeze-thawing technique. The physicochemical and mechanical properties were investigated, as well as biodegradation, drug release kinetics, cytocompatibility study and antibacterial activity were performed. The obtained research results were transferred in the development of high added value bone graft substitutes which are potentially transferable from laboratory to the biomedical product industry. The implementation of the proposed project was provide new knowledge and know-how of biomaterials research and development for bone tissue engineering applications.

ERA-NET EU-LAC Health project “Efficient and affordable water treatment technologies to minimise waterborne diseases” (2018-2020). The project aims was to produce and demonstrate on a field- scale several point -of-use water treatment technologies that will be specially targeted to rural communities, affordable and easy to use. Within the project specially coated membranes with increased efficiency, titanium oxides electrodes and novel hybrid UV microfiltration system were designed and evaluated for their efficiency to neutralize bacterial, viral and protozoan pollution.

EuroNanoMed II project “PhOtocrosslinked hydrogels for guided periodontal TissUe Regeneration” (POsTURE) (2015-2018). Project leader: Dagnija Loča. Periodontitis, a recognized disease worldwide, is a serious gum infection that damages soft tissue and results in loss of tooth-supporting alveolar bone. Regenerative periodontal procedures aim to reverse this damage by using both a bone graft and a membrane to obtain complete tissue reconstruction. The multidisciplinary POsTURE project aims to develop an innovative periodontal regeneration device based on: (i) a self-setting injectable bone grafting material containing Sr, Mg or Si substituted CaP nanoparticles with enhanced bioactivity and (ii) a photo-cross-linked interpenetrating polymer network based on UV photosensitive methacrylated dextran that will be applied as a viscous solution and cured in situ with UV light, as a membrane to prevent excessive proliferation of gingival tissue.

ERDF project (1.1.1.1/16/A/144) “Influence of the magnetic field initiated stirring on biotechnological processes” (2017-2019). The aim of the project was to investigate the influence of the created field of the magnetic field initiated stirring on the growth and biosynthesis of microorganisms. Based on this information, determine the usability boundaries of magnetic drive for various sterile biotechnological processes. The conditions of sterility are crucial for the biotechnological processes. One of the most typical contamination points of the bioreactor is stirring drive mechanical sealing. For solving this problem, the magnetic drive stirrers are used. As a result, microorganisms circulate in direct contact with the magnetic rotor. Despite the perspective of this kind of application, no unequivocal information about the influence of the magnetic field-initiated mixing on microorganism growth and biosynthesis is available. Within the framework of the project, RTU is performing cultivation of mammalian cells and calculations of reactor scaling in connection with the use of magnetic rotors.

RTU Scientific Research Project “Development of Production Method for High-Performance Nano-concrete with Low Water/Cement Ratio” (2018). The project was implemented in cooperation between two RTU structural units – Department of Building Materials and Building Products, Institute of Materials and Structures and Institute of General Chemical Engineering (IGCE). The aim of the project was to develop a method for the production of high-performance nano-concrete by partly replacing with mineral, industrial by-products and production residues and thus reducing the amount of cement used, thereby promoting resource efficiency and increasing the environmental sustainability of products. Considering that the costs of production of cement are continuously increasing with the increase in the costs of electricity, it is expected that the introduction of high-performance nano-concrete production technology will significantly improve the economic performance of the merchant’s business and increase competitiveness in the construction sector. The role of the IGCE was to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition of the raw materials used, as well as to study the binder and nano- or microfillers systems in order to create optimal compositions and to provide efficient cement hydration processes.

RTU Scientific Research Project “Development of innovative frost-durable concrete by using rubber microgranules” (2018). Project partner: Kristaps Rubenis. The aim of this project was to develop ready-to-use, economically viable concrete compositions with enhanced frost durability, by using rubber microgranules obtained from scrap tires to enhance frost durability of the concrete.

Cooperation project between RTU and RSU “Multifunctional nano-calcium phosphate/hyaluronic acid hydrogels for osteoporotic bone treatment” (2016-2019). Project leader: Dagnija Loča. The project aims was to develop new, innovative three-dimensional calcium phosphate and hyaluronic acid cross-linked hydrogels with inorganic component up to 60 weight %, which would not cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues, promote angiogenesis processes and form new bone tissues. The scientific cooperation between Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy were provide in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the developed materials.

National Research Programme No. 2014.10-4/VPP-3/21 “MultIfunctional Materials and composItes, photonicS and nanotechnology (IMIS²)” Project No. 4 “Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for medical applications” (2014-2018). Develop new and improved innovative materials for medical applications, including implants for tissue replacement and regeneration, considering the fundamental and applied research results in the field and the latest advances in nanotechnology industry, as well as involving internationally recognized experts of various scopes with a motivated team of talented young scientists and specialists in coordinated research, while developing production and application technologies of new products through the capacity of newly established National Research Centers. Main project tasks: 1. Creating and exploring new, exploitable and competitive biomaterials – nanostructured composite materials for bone and tissue implants. 2. Develop and experimentallyapprobate new systems of opticalbiosensors for rapid microbiological quality control of food and environmental samples. 3. Creating and exploring new, exploitable and competitive nano- and micro- carriers for targeted drug transport. 4.1. Subproject: subproject leader: Dagnija Loča. Project aims was to create and comprehensively characterize, including the in vitro and in vivo studies, new anti-bacterial and anti-osteoporotic biomaterials for regeneration of bones. Direction of the research aimed to solving the problem of an aging population, affecting people whose quality of life and mobility is dependent on musculoskeletal system diseases caused by bone dysfunction, which is the second most common cause of disability globally. In vivo and clinic studies of biphasic CaP bioceramic realized within the previous NRP have demonstrated a fundamental dependence of materials properties on the structural condition of patient’s hard tissues as well as the dual effect of materials (increasing the reduced volume of atrophic bone through osteointegration, and the possibility of an osteoporotic bone remineralisation/reossification) into the bone tissues environment through long-term (more than five years) observations, paving the way to a novel treatment of osteoporosis locally. Modification of the CaP designed structurally by changing structural elements of the implant material from macro- to nano- levels or chemically by incorporating various substitutes and chemical elements that would provide specific desirable properties of the material allows developing alternative multifunctional biomaterials for the replacement or the reconstruction of functionality of various tissues.

National Research Program of Latvia 2014-2017 within program No.6 project No.4 “Investigation of geological resources – new products and technologies (Earth)” subproject No.4 (2014-2018). The aim of this project was to investigate and evaluate the application of Latvian clays in development of new products. Porous granular sorbent for water purification technology and sprayable biodegradable composite material for daily waste cover in landfills will be developed, as well as the ability of Latvian clays to stabilize emulsions and protect skin against UV radiation will be investigated.