On 18 December 2025, the Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies at the University of Rome Tor Vergata hosted the Third-Year Meeting of the MUR Excellence Program 2023–27, X-CHEM – Expanding Chemistry. The seminar brought together doctoral students, researchers and senior academics for a full day of scientific exchange, offering a snapshot of the diversity, ambition and collaborative spirit shaping contemporary chemical research.

Held within the framework of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) Excellence Program, the meeting served not only as a progress review of the X-CHEM initiative, but also as a lively platform for dialogue across disciplines and career stages. Throughout the day, participants moved seamlessly between formal presentations and informal discussions, reflecting on how individual research projects connect to broader scientific and societal challenges.

A central highlight of the programme was the invited lecture by Professor Graça Vicente from Louisiana State University. In her talk, “Synthesis and Functionalization of Hydrazine Inserted BODIPY Derivatives”, Professor Vicente presented innovative strategies for expanding the functional versatility of BODIPY compounds through hydrazine insertion. By clearly illustrating how targeted molecular modifications can open new application pathways, the lecture demonstrated both scientific depth and pedagogical clarity. The presentation resonated strongly with the audience, offering insights that were accessible and stimulating for early-stage researchers as well as more experienced scientists.

Following the plenary session, attention shifted to the work of PhD candidates through a dedicated poster session, which formed the interactive core of the meeting. Doctoral students presented their ongoing research across a wide range of chemical sub-fields, transforming the poster hall into a space of intense exchange. Moving between posters offered participants a condensed overview of emerging research directions, while extended conversations allowed for deeper technical questions and constructive feedback.

Among the contributors, representing RELIANCE, was Elisa Recchia from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, who presented work on next-generation antimicrobial coatings based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). Her research addresses one of the most pressing global challenges in chemistry and materials science: the development of effective strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

In her study, she presented a performance comparison of four essential oils - eugenol, carvacrol, thymol and menthol - against five clinically relevant bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus clausii, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results identified thymol and carvacrol as the most effective antibacterial agents. Building on both antibacterial and virological data, carvacrol was selected for functionalization with two copper-modified MSN systems, distinguishing between calcined and non-calcined formulations. The findings highlighted the superior broad-spectrum efficacy of the non-calcined copper-modified MSNs (Cu-MSN-1), underlining their strong potential for future antimicrobial surface technologies in line with RELIANCE’s objectives.

The poster session was particularly enriching, as it offered the chance to discover several research projects closely related to Elisa’s own PhD work, while also highlighting complementary and innovative approaches. Several contributions explored nanoparticle-based systems, albeit from complementary angles, including surface  functionalization strategies, alternative antimicrobial agents and advanced physicochemical characterization methods. The sparked discussions were extremely valuable, as they opened the door to possible future integrations, illustrating how interdisciplinary dialogue can accelerate innovation and strengthen individual research efforts.

Beyond the scientific content, the Third-Year Meeting stood out as a space for reflection on the role of collaboration in excellence-driven research programmes. The diversity of approaches presented underscored how progress in chemistry increasingly depends on the ability to connect ideas across sub-disciplines, institutions and application domains. In this sense, the meeting embodied the core values of the X-CHEM Excellence Program: fostering quality, openness and meaningful exchange.

As the seminar concluded, participants left with new perspectives, potential collaborations and a renewed sense of motivation. Events such as this not only showcase scientific results but also reinforce the importance of community in addressing complex challenges - from fundamental molecular design to applied solutions for public health and environmental sustainability. For RELIANCE and its partners, the meeting offered both visibility and inspiration, reaffirming the value of contributing to shared European research goals within a vibrant and expanding chemistry landscape.

Contributor: Elisa Recchia, UNITOV