The University of Western Macedonia, through the MaterLab Laboratory of the Department of Chemical Engineering, participated in September in the Kick-off Meeting of the European Project 4Sir2 in Warsaw.
The scientific coordinator, Professor Ioannis Bakouros, along with Dr. Amalia Kouskoura and PhD Candidate Eleni Kallionitzi, attended the Kick-off meeting of the Horizon 4Sir2 project “A Sustainable, Consumer-Centric Ecosystem for Fruit Bubble Smoothie Production”, which took place on 11-12 September 2025 at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), in Warsaw, Poland.
4Sir2 is an innovative European Union funded project that combines nutrigenomics research with sustainable fruit processing technologies and circular economy principles, aiming to develop a functional bubble smoothie, enriched with bioactive compounds from grapes (resveratrol).
This product is designed to modulate gene expression related to obesity, offering a healthy, sustainable, and consumer-centered dietary solution, particularly for adolescents and young adults.
During the two-day meeting, project partners from 16 organizations across 9 countries presented their roles and responsibilities, defined research and management strategies (IPR, risk and data management) and co-designed, through interactive sessions, the project timeline and collaborative methodology.
The University of Western Macedonia, through MaterLab, is responsible for coordinating communication, dissemination and exploitation of results activities, as well as developing the project’s online presence (website, visual identity and communication materials).
4Sir2 represents an interdisciplinary approach linking food science, genetics, engineering and socio-economic analysis, aiming to create a comprehensive, sustainable ecosystem for next-generation functional food production.
The project aspires to develop a sustainable value chain for nutrigenomic smoothie production, utilizing grape by-products through innovative drying and extraction technologies.
The project’s activities are structured around three main pillars:
- Technical research – development of drying, extraction and prototyping technologies
- Nutrigenomics research – investigation of effects on gene expression related to obesity
- Socio-economic analysis – sustainable business models and circular economy strategies
University of Western Macedonia
