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INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory Achieves OECD Good Laboratory Practice Certification

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) celebrates a significant milestone as its Nanosafety Laboratory is officially recognized for meeting the demanding standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). This certification, granted by the Portuguese Institute for Quality (IPQ), highlights INL’s commitment to responsible innovation, establishing its laboratory as a trusted center for safe and credible nanotechnology research. Following an extensive review in May 2024, the certification assures that INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory complies with the highest international standards for testing and assessing nanomaterials, particularly for industrial and agricultural applications. The laboratory’s commitment to safe technological advancements aligns closely with INL’s mission to promote public health and environmental integrity. Leading the Way in Nanotechnology Safety With GLP certification, INL’s Nanosafety Laboratory is now validated for several essential testing areas in nanotechnology safety: This achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts across INL’s teams, including the Alfaro-Moreno Research Group, the CQM Unit, and participants in the ERA-Chair Sinfonia and SbDToolbox projects. Contributing team members, including Filipa Lebre, Vânia Vilas-Boas, Andreia Carvalho, Ana Ribeiro, Nivedita Chatterjee, Catarina Gonçalves, Helena Macedo, Begoña Espiña, Marina Brito, Margaret Costa, Ana Teixeira, and Sadaf Almas, have driven essential […]

A Vision for the Future: INL Welcomes New Deputy Director-General

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) hosted an inspiring ceremony this week to introduce Professor Ado Jório de Vasconcelos as its new Deputy Director-General (DDG). This event, held at the INL headquarters, signals a significant step forward in the organisation’s quest for innovative advancement. The ceremony commenced with remarks from INL’s Director-General, Professor Clivia Sotomayor, who emphasised the strategic significance of Professor Jório’s appointment. She outlined key milestones for INL, including the rationalization of research themes, the introduction of a new Career System, and strengthened collaborations with Spanish institutions and local partners. Professor Sotomayor reaffirmed INL’s commitment to European initiatives, particularly the European Chips Act, aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in the semiconductor sector. These developments set a promising foundation for INL’s future. Inmaculada Figueroa, President of the INL Council and representative of the Spanish Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Universities, expressed her support for Professor Jório and enthusiasm for INL’s innovative future under his and Professor Sotomayor’s guidance. Professor Madalena Alves, Head of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and Vice-President of the INL Council, highlighted the crucial role of new leadership for INL’s strategic success, underscoring the responsibility of all INL members to foster a robust and competitive organisation. Olga […]

Innovative water repellent material to cut waste in the auto industry

A groundbreaking project is underway to develop hydrophobic sleeves for painting robots, aimed at extending their lifespan and reducing waste in the automotive sector. Diana Alves, a researcher at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, is working in the GreenAuto Agenda, and is working towards the development of super-hydrophobic coatings, specifically tailored for the automotive industry. These coatings possess unique properties that repel water. Instead of spreading, droplets form into spheres and roll off the surface, preventing the accumulation of moisture. Currently, the sleeves need to be regularly replaced, generating non-reusable waste. However, with the addition of superhydrophobic coatings, paint would be repelled, significantly extending the lifespan of the sleeves. Many current solutions for hydrophobic protection depend on PFAS, a group of fluorinated compounds known for their toxicity and environmental persistence. These chemicals degrade very slowly, remaining in the environment for extended periods. Despite their widespread use, the long-lasting nature of PFAS makes them a growing concern for health and environmental safety. To address this issue, Diana Alves and Kolen’ko’s research group are developing an alternative solution using nanomaterials that provide the same superhydrophobic benefits without the use of fluorine-based chemicals. The morphological properties of nanomaterials are engineered to control […]

Nobel Prize Highlights microRNA Discovery: Insights for INL Nanosafety Work

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This pivotal advancement in molecular biology and epigenetics was made through studies on the microscopic worm C. elegans, showing how microRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing protein production. Their discovery has far-reaching implications across biology, medicine, and toxicology—including key research initiatives at INL. Within the Research Group focused on Nanosafety, INL researchers utilise C. elegans as a model organism to assess the potential health risks of particulate matter and nanomaterials. Just as Ambros and Ruvkun’s findings have transformed our understanding of gene regulation, our work is expanding the boundaries of toxicological research by employing functional genetics, toxicogenomics, and epigenetic biomarker evaluations to study the impacts of nanomaterials. C. elegans: A Nobel-Winning Model for Toxicology Research The 2024 Nobel Prize further validates the use of C. elegans in toxicology research. Its simplicity, genetic transparency, and short life cycle make it an invaluable tool for studying complex biological processes. Importantly, C. elegans shares many genetic pathways with humans, enabling researchers to draw relevant connections between nanomaterial […]

#ISFGM2024 – International Symposium on Functionally Graded Materials concludes with a notable achievement

The 17th International Symposium on Functionally Graded Materials – #ISFGM2024 concluded with resounding success, thanks to the participation of esteemed researchers, industry professionals, and academics from around the globe. Hosted by the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, Portugal, from September 29 to October 2, the event provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing groundbreaking research in the field of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs). Throughout the symposium, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, inspiring keynote presentations, technical sessions, and poster presentations. The diverse range of topics covered reflected the multidisciplinary nature of FGMs, whose applications span biomedical, automotive, aerospace, and civil engineering sectors, among others. A key highlight of ISFGM2024 was the election of Ana Ribeiro to the international advisory committee on functionally graded materials (IACFGMs). In a historic moment for the community, Ana joins this distinguished board, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the field. This prestigious recognition acknowledges her contributions to FGM research and her leadership in advancing the discipline. As ISFGM2024 comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. The exchanges of ideas, the collaborative spirit, and the […]

III Science Communication Meeting Antena Minho – INL

The INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory together with Antena Minho and in partnership with the Universidade do Minho and the European Researchers’ Night will host the III Meeting ‘Science for All’ Antena Minho – INL on October 11, 2024, between 09:00 and 12:30. This event is designed to create a dynamic platform where scientists, science communicators, and journalists can engage with diverse audiences to make science accessible to everyone. The meeting will feature a range of fascinating talks and performances, including: This event is an opportunity for students, the general public and science enthusiasts to learn, network and enhance their knowledge and understanding of science communication. The event will be held in Portuguese. Registration is free, but mandatory, until October 10. Don’t miss this unique chance to engage with the world of science. Join us!

New quantum computing protocol demonstrated by international research team

A recent breakthrough in photonics-based randomness manipulation has been achieved by a strong collaboration with Ernesto Galvão from INL and scientists from Milan’s Polytechnic and Sapienza University of Rome. The group’s findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Photonics, where they presented a new protocol known as a Bernoulli factory,demonstrating advanced capabilities in manipulating probability distributions encoded in photonic quantum bits. Ernesto Galvão, group leader at INL, outlines the importance of this research in the broader context of quantum computing. “Quantum computers promise to offer extreme speed-ups for certain computational problems, but actually building them is very challenging, independently of the physical platform used,” he explains. Galvão elaborated on the unique properties of photonic quantum computers, which encode and process information using photons – i.e. particles of light. This encoding can leverage various aspects of light, such as the paths it follows, polarization, arrival time, or its spectrum (colour), making it a highly versatile approach to quantum information processing. “The core functionality demonstrated involves manipulating a probability distribution encoded within these photonic quantum bits. To achieve this, we used a programmable multimode interferometer, which enables the encoding of information based on the paths photons take within the device.”, adds […]

INL Researcher Recognised by the Portuguese Cancer League for Groundbreaking Research

Alexandra Teixeira, a researcher at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), has been awarded the prestigious Liga Inovação 2024 Prize, a distinction promoted by the North Branch of the Portuguese Cancer League (Núcleo Regional do Norte da Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro). The award, valued at 7,500 euros, was presented during the 6th National Meeting of Young Researchers (6º Encontro Nacional de Jovens Investigadores – ENJIO) in Porto, where her innovative cancer research project was recognized among 80 competing proposals. Teixeira’s research focuses on the development of advanced technology to better understand the behaviour and metastatic potential of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which play a critical role in cancer progression. Her work is particularly focused on breast cancer, a condition that affects millions worldwide and is projected to increase in prevalence. By studying CTCs, the project aims to uncover new insights into how cancer spreads, paving the way for more targeted and personalized treatment strategies. The Liga Inovação Prize aims to promote research with the potential to contribute significantly to oncology, particularly in developing personalized medicine approaches for cancer patients. Teixeira’s project aligns with this mission by addressing metastasis, which is responsible for up to 90% of cancer-related deaths. The […]

ERN 2024 Brings Science to Life for Nearly 1,400 Participants in Braga

On September 27, 2024, nearly 1,400 participants gathered in Braga for the European Researchers’ Night (ERN), under the theme Science for Global Challenges. The event showcased cutting-edge research and demonstrated how science addresses critical global issues like environmental protection, economic development, and social justice. INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, committed to outreach and bringing science closer to the public, actively participated with European funded projects such as LEARN, FRONTSH1P, Forging, and 3DSecret. Attendees enjoyed interactive experiences, including optical experiments revealing the colors of white light, engaging science-themed board games, and an immersive exploration of extracellular vesicles. João Martinho Moura’s multimedia performance micromacronanooffered a unique blend of art and science, illustrating the connection between the smallest particles and the vastness of the universe. The Consortium: A National Collaboration ERN 2024 was powered by a national consortium. INL and the University of Minho led efforts in Braga, while the University of Coimbra, University of Lisbon, Universidade Nova, ISCTE, and the University of Évora ensured the event reached communities across Coimbra, Lisbon, and Alentejo, making science accessible throughout the country. + A day to remember. See the full photo gallery here >>

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