Ambition

Nano2Life aims to reduce the dispersion of European nanobiotechnology by integrating 23 previously independent centres or regions, with established experience in implementing nanobiotechnology programmes. The network also involves a group of 21 private high-technology firms.

Context

In 2005 the market was estimated to be worth €1bn, with biochips alone enjoying 16% to 25% annual growth. At the meeting point between nano and bio-technology, nanobiotechnology (biochips, lab-on-chips, biosensors, etc.) has many applications: medical diagnosis, development of new drugs, supervision of diet, bacterial analysis of water, diagnosis outside the laboratory, etc.

Objective

Nano2Life's objective is to integrate existing European nanobiotechnology expertise and make Europe more competitive, including in industrial transfer.
Nano2Life will prepare the ground for the European NanoBiotech Institute, which will seek to increase our understanding of the interface, at nanometric scale, between biological and non-biological entities, and the possible applications of nanobiotechnology in new sensors for medicine, pharmaceuticals, the environment, and environmental and food safety.

Programme

Nano2Life partners have decided a joint programme of activities, including actions such as:

• Joint research projects
• Training and apprenticeships
• Pooling of resources
• Communication and information.

Nano2Life contributes to the development of instruments. It uses nanobiotechnology to meet the needs of European industry, in keeping with international social and ethical standards.

Players

CEA, CNRS, Inserm, Fraunhoffer Institute, Münster University, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Newcastle University, Lund University, etc. More than 200 researchers will be involved in the life of the network for four years as well as 20 private firms and start-ups (IBM, BASF, Apibio, Protéin Expert, etc.).

CEA-Grenoble will be responsible for coordinating the Nano2Life network. It was chosen on account of its major involvement in micro and nanotechnology applied to biology and healthcare, illustrated in particular by the Minatec and NanoBio centres.

Your AEPI contact: Joëlle Seux

More info: www.nano2life.org

Top