Concentration module of the BioChipLab© Lab on a chip, designed for the preparation of peptidic samples before mass spec analysis

Nano2Life, as the European Network of Excellence in nanobiotechnology, has assumed the role of enabling multidisciplinary and multinational research collaborations. The goal is to overcome both the geographical fragmentation of researchers and the very limited communication across previously discreet scientific disciplines such as chemistry, biology, physics, medicine and engineering.

Through the integration of research groups and resources from the centres of excellence in nanobiotechnology the Nano2Life Joint Research Programme will add significant value to European nanobiotechnology research.

The Joint Research Programme is a platform intended to be:

• A forum where ideas will be exchanged, shared and combined,
• A think tank for multi-lateral collaboration,
• A market place to enable the sharing of ideas and know-how.

The Joint Research Programme will:

• Increase the integration of the partners,
• Speed up the progress of the field,
• Establish integrated groups of excellence as European reference centres.

Strategic Research - Focused by 12 Groups

Chart Intersection Projects (PDF, 105 KB)

As the network has evolved, the joint research activity has been iteratively refined based on extensive discussions with both academic and industry partners. One outcome is the state-of-the-art analysis and report on nanobiotechnology that has become a reference article in the meantime. Furthermore, it led to the establishment of a Strategic Research Programme (SRP): 12 topics, each represented by a group of experts, were identified. Six groups, referred to as SRP-Ts, will focus on novel technologies, while the other six, referred to as SRP-As, will focus on the elaboration of the applications, which the SRP-Ts can contribute to. All together they will provide a platform for durable collaborations and application driven technological innovations.

As an example, it is envisaged that a novel sensor platform developed by one research group, could be optimised with respect to signal processing by a second group, with respect to chemical functionalism and patterning by a third, be provided with a novel assay by a fourth, and packaged with a complimentary sample preparation platform by even another group.

Programme Improves Scientific Excellence

The broad and long term vision of the Strategic Research Programme is to meet the nano-bio challenges, to improve scientific excellence and industrial competitiveness in the EU.

In this way, the synergistic benefit is compatible with durable integration of the researchers within the network where:

• Each individual and research group benefits directly from new research publications and potentially patents,
• New research outputs are generated with a highly efficient process in which technical challenges are rapidly resolved by involving the most experienced researchers in the field for troubleshooting,
• No new resources are required for the performance of the research.

Palpable Outcome: Initiation of 45 Research Projects

After 4 years of operation Nano2Life has succeded in initiating 45 research projects, 75% of which have been successful in the application process and are currently under execution. Thus the network substantially provides a platform for establishing new and competitive R&D consortia. The list of seed projects initiated by Nano2Life partners gives an overview of selected successful projects.

As an example, one collaboration has been initiated called "ReNaChip" is focussed on rehabilitation of discrete sensory motor learning function by prosthetic nanochip. This research is part of a future research vision involving cognitive and learning sciences with nanoelectrodes and signal processing professionals. These are working together with physiologists and computer scientists.