Attila Cserményi, a student at the Institute of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, presented his research findings at an international scientific conference and subsequently delivered invited lectures at two prestigious Chinese universities.
During this professional visit, supported by a research grant, he had the opportunity to present his work in both Shenzhen and Xiamen while further strengthening the scientific collaboration between the Faculty and its Chinese partner institutions.
In April of 2026, Attila Cserményi participated in the International Conference on Biomaterials 2026, where he presented a poster entitled "Tuned Activity of Phototrexate by Modified Molecular Environment." The research was based on collaborative work conducted with Chinese research partners. The conference showcased the latest advances in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, drug and gene delivery, and biomedical engineering, bringing together researchers from around the world.
According to the young researcher, his work attracted considerable professional interest. His poster was visited not only by fellow scientists but also by editors of international scientific journals, with whom he had valuable discussions about the project. He found the questions regarding the potential future anticancer applications of phototrexate particularly inspiring.
His research focuses on phototrexate, a modified analogue of the widely used anticancer drug methotrexate. The unique feature of this molecule is that it can be converted from an inactive state into its active antitumour form upon light irradiation. In the long term, this approach may enable the drug to be activated exclusively within tumour tissue, thereby significantly reducing exposure of healthy cells.
The research group is currently investigating how different molecular environments influence the physical properties of phototrexate and the lifetime of its active state. Using fluorometric and spectrophotometric techniques, they aim to identify the factors that could further improve the precision and therapeutic efficiency of the drug. Feedback received during the conference confirmed that this research direction is attracting significant international scientific interest.
Following the conference, Attila Cserményi delivered two invited lectures at Xiamen University. At the Department of Physics, he presented a lecture entitled "Effect of the Molecular Environment on the Lifetime of the Thermodynamically Unstable Bioactive Conformation of the Phototrexate Drug," while at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, he gave a presentation entitled "Activity Lifetime of Phototrexate Through a Modified Molecular Environment."
The two institutions approached the research from different scientific perspectives. At the Department of Physics, discussions primarily focused on fundamental research questions, with members of the research group contributing their own laboratory experience and experimental findings to the scientific exchange. During his visit, Attila also had the opportunity to tour the department's state-of-the-art research laboratories.
At the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, discussions concentrated more on the future therapeutic applications of phototrexate. Chinese researchers shared several ideas that could contribute to improving the molecule's ability to selectively target the tumour microenvironment.
During the scientific meetings, the partners also defined the next stages of their collaborative research and initiated preparations for a joint scientific publication. The forthcoming paper will summarize both previous undergraduate research results and more recent experimental findings, with particular emphasis on how the molecular environment influences the temporal evolution of phototrexate activity.
According to the researcher, the greatest value of international collaborations lies in bringing together different scientific perspectives and methodological approaches. The advanced instrumentation and extensive research infrastructure available at the Chinese partner institutions offer unique opportunities to deepen the understanding of photoswitchable molecules and expand their future biomedical applications.
Beyond the scientific achievements, the visit was also a personally defining experience.
"Scientifically, this journey reinforced my belief that our research topic is of genuine international interest and worth pursuing further. I am especially grateful to be able to carry out this work under the supervision of Professor Sándor Kunsági-Máté, who is both my scientific role model and a mentor who continually inspires curiosity and perseverance."
He also emphasized that the openness, generosity, and enthusiasm of the Chinese researchers, together with the personal relationships established during the visit, made a lasting impression on him and may serve as the foundation for future collaborative research.
The professional visit to China represents another important milestone in strengthening the international scientific partnerships of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Pécs. At the same time, it provided Attila Cserményi with an excellent opportunity to present his research to the international scientific community and to actively contribute to collaborations supporting the future development of innovative pharmaceutical therapies.