Giovanni Tizzanini is a PhD student at Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg.
Giovanni is working in the Applied Chemistry division under the supervision of Professor Anna Ström. Giovanni’s research spans food science, material science, and nutrition, focusing on the behavior of biopolymers such as pectin and gelatin. These versatile materials are not only crucial in food structuring and nutrition but also have applications in drug systems. Giovanni’s work is designed to advance our understanding of digestion, improve the nutritional value of food, and develop more effective drug-carrying ingredients.
A central project in Giovanni’s research involves repurposing capsule endoscopy cameras, commonly used in medical diagnostics, for food science applications. These pills are coated with edible biopolymers and used to monitor how these materials behave during digestion and fermentation. Collaborating with researchers at Örebro University, the data is processed with machine learning techniques to understand the macroscopic changes in the materials.
In addition to this project, Giovanni is studying the interaction between polysaccharides and gut bacteria, focusing on how different polysaccharides, such as pectin, interact with bacterial strains like Lactobacillus. By employing techniques like SEC, SAXS, and DLS, Giovanni is exploring the molecular interactions between polysaccharides and bacteria, shedding light on the physical and chemical behaviors that influence gut health. Giovanni’s work could ultimately contribute to improving our understanding of how diet impacts the gut microbiota and how we can better tailor foods and drugs for optimal health.
Giovanni finds the most exciting part of his work in the thrill of uncovering the unexpected and appreciating the beauty of science. From observing the breakdown of biopolymers on camera to making sense of complex data, he is constantly amazed by the elegance embedded in even the simplest scientific phenomena.
He believes that this underlying architecture is often overlooked but deserves to be celebrated. Inspired by outreach scientists who make science captivating and relatable, Giovanni aims to bring that same sense of wonder to others, perhaps through his work.
The challenges of Giovanni’s work can feel like trying to keep multiple plates spinning at once. Balancing experiments, data analysis, and teaching requires careful coordination and plenty of flexibility, with time often feeling like the most limited resource. Yet, he finds that passion fuels every aspect of the journey, helping him uncover surprising insights and appreciate the inherent beauty of science along the way.
Neutron scattering represents an incredible advancement in material science analysis, offering unique benefits for Giovanni’s research. Through courses offered by SwedNess, ILL, and the Northern Lights on Food (NLF), he has gained valuable insights into how neutrons can provide exceptional contrast for biomaterials such as the ones he deals with and allow non-destructive studies of colloidal systems in solution. Giovanni looks forward to employing these techniques to uncover new insights in his work.