Organic nanomaterials hold significant importance due to their diverse applications, spanning electronic devices, catalytic materials, and medical diagnostics or therapeutic tools. These materials can be synthesized using various preparative techniques, including self-assembly or template methods.

Herein, a comprehensive review is provided of the methodologies developed in our laboratory for producing thin films from organic materials and converting them into three-dimensional structures. The approach will be illustrated with examples of the fabrication of monomolecular layers from organic compounds and their transformation into spherical nanoparticles. Additionally, the preparation of biodegradable polymer layers and the formation of arrays of spherical-cap particles using the dewetting phenomenon will be showcased. Finally, chemical modifications of thin films and the resulting nanoparticles to impart novel functionalities will be demonstrated.

To attain our research objectives, we employ a broad spectrum of experimental techniques, encompassing microscopic methods (such as electron microscopy, AFM, and optical microscopy), various spectroscopic methods (including FTIR, Raman, fluorescence, and XPS), as well as thermal analysis (DSC and TGA) and electrochemical tools.

Both the thin films and the nanoparticles hold potential for medical applications in therapy and diagnostics. We will present the results of in vitro investigations on cell cultures and microorganisms to highlight the anticancer or antimicrobial properties of the developed systems. We will also outline the prospects for disease treatment and diagnosis, using selected cases as illustrations.

Maciej Mazur is a professor of chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw. He graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Warsaw in 1997 and then continued his doctoral studies, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry in 2002. In the same year, through an open competition, he was awarded a NATO-NSF scholarship for a postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Chemistry, Michigan State University, in the group of Professor Gary Blanchard. After completing his postdoc, he returned to the University of Warsaw as a professor.

Maciej Mazur is the author and co-author of approximately 90 scientific publications listed in the JCR (Hirsch index: 27), including prestigious journals such as Science, Science Advances, or PNAS. The primary focus of Maciej Mazur's research includes the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of organic and inorganic materials, including thin films, from the perspective of their applications in medicine and diagnostics. The resulting structures are examined using modern physicochemical and biological methodologies.

Maciej Mazur is a co-author of several national and international patents and patent applications (around 10). He is also a co-founder of spinoff companies, OncoBoost (Vice-CEO), and Nephrolab Plus (CEO), whose aim is to commercialize the results of scientific research.