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September 29, marked the return of the European Researchers’ Night

Last Friday, September 29, marked the return of the European Researchers’ Night — the annual celebration of innovative research taking place simultaneously in more than 30 countries and 300 cities throughout Europe. The diverse programme gathered more than 400 researchers and included games, hands-on activities, interactive experiences, a ‘nano-quizz’ and ‘workshops’, where different areas such as chemistry, biology, physics, geology, mathematics, optometry, and biotechnology were crossed. These were just a few of the possible applications that ECUM – University of Minho and International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), many other partners introduced to more than 1400 visitors at Altice Fórum Braga. The audience defied all researchers with relevant questions and expressed genuine wonder as they saw “magic” happening before their eyes. This year, ‘Science for Everyone – Sustainability and Inclusion’ was the motto that framed an event committed to raising awareness about the role of science in achieving sustainability and inclusion goals among school students and different audiences, while identifying key societal concerns about climate change and sustainable growth and linking them to science-oriented solutions and proposals. This European project consortium includes as partners the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon, the Nova School of […]

European Researchers’ Night returns next week to Braga

The European Researchers’ Night 2023 – #ERN2023 will be back in Portugal, next week, with the theme “Science for All (SCIEVER) – Inclusion and Sustainability”, within a national consortium coordinated by the University of Lisbon, through the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC), which also integrates the INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and the School of Sciences of the University of Minho. The initiative will take place on September 29th, between 4 pm and midnight, with a national online program and local activities in Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon and Évora. The theme of the European Researchers’ Night 2023 – ‘SCIEVER’ – will contribute simultaneously to two main objectives: (i) improving the understanding of the importance of scientific careers development and science investments; (ii) increasing researchers’ understanding of the role of society as a whole for sustainable science policies development. The goal of our consortium is to directly respond to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) goals of the EU framework program by raising public awareness, also among school communities, about the relevance of science to assure resource preservation, decarbonization and inclusion and by bridging the gap between scientists and society, giving researchers the opportunity to perceive the main concerns […]

Revolutionising cancer monitoring: INL’s microfluidic chip enables earlier diagnosis and personalised treatment

Circulating tumour cells, or CTCs, are the agents responsible for cancer’s spread to distant parts of the body and have been an enigma in the realm of cancer research. Their analysis, termed liquid biopsy, allows for non-invasive and continuous monitoring of cancer through a simple blood test. However, until now, this analysis has been limited by the technologies available for CTC isolation which were primarily dependent on immuno-recognition and only captured a subgroup of CTCs (typically the less aggressive type). The Medical Devices research group at INL has pioneered a microfluidic system that holds the potential to transform the way we understand and fight cancer. This pioneering microfluidic chip marks a paradigm shift. The revolutionary system can efficiently and swiftly isolate all types of CTCs directly from whole blood samples, eliminating the need for complex pre-processing steps. The microfluidic chip also facilitates high-resolution imaging of the CTCs, enabling automation of the entire processing and analysis method, thus reducing user dependence, and has already been demonstrated in clinical testing to predict cancer progression up to 1 year earlier than existing technologies. The project CTC-OncoDynamics funded through the Caixa Impulse Consolidate program, and done in collaboration with INL’s spin-off company RUBYnanomed, aimed […]

INL researchers are working on a novel approach to fight a common disease in pigs

The project APTAcoli aims the development of a novel approach to fight a common disease that affects young pigs – enteric colibacillosis. This disease is caused by certain strains of Escherichia coli that attach to the small intestine and produce harmful toxins. These toxins lead to diarrhoea, dehydration, and acidosis. In the past, antibiotics were used to control the disease, but this practice is now banned in many countries. New strategies are needed to fight colibacillosis, and one promising approach is using aptamers, which are special molecules that can block the toxins and help the animals recover. Aptamers are like “molecular keys” that can selectively bind to specific targets. They have advantages over antibiotics, such as specific action and easy synthesis. However, they can be unstable in the body. To address this, synthetic nucleic acid mimics (NAMs), can be used to increase stability. INL researchers are working towards the development of new NAM-aptamers to block Escherichia coli toxins. To start, a selection process was performed to create NAM-aptamers specific to Escherichia coli toxins. Pablo Fuciños, who is leading this project in the Food Processing and Nutrition research group, adds “An encapsulation strategy is now being developed to protect the aptamers […]

Recruitment for the post of INL Deputy Director-General

The Council of INL is seeking an experienced and strategy-oriented person to serve as INL’s next Deputy Director-General to succeed Prof. Paulo Freitas. A key element in the organization, the DDG will coordinate and prepare, alongside the Director-General, long-term plans that meet INL’s mission. As an important bridge throughout INL’s community, analysing critically, providing guidance and inspiring others to collectively achieve common goals are some of the core responsibilities of the role. The Deputy Director-General will collaborate closely with the Director-General (DG) to shape strategic direction and offer impactful leadership, enhancing the Laboratory’s reach, excellence, and commitment to cutting-edge nanotechnology research, as set forth in the INL 2030 Strategic Vision. This role involves driving innovation, engaging industry leaders, and nurturing relationships across government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions. The ideal candidate should possess a distinguished track record in research, development, and innovation, complemented by proven leadership in steering high-performance teams. About INL At INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, located in Braga (North of Portugal), scientists and engineers from all over the world work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and strive to make INL become a worldwide hub for the deployment of Nanotechnology, addressing society’s grand challenges. The INL […]

Professor Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres appointed to be the new Director General of INL

The Council of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) has announced the appointment of Prof. Dr Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres as INL’s new Director-General. Prof. Dr Sotomayor Torres was selected for her outstanding qualifications and experience in the nanotechnology field. Prof. Dr Sotomayor Torres will take office on September 15, 2023. As Director-General, Prof. Dr. Sotomayor Torres will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and management of INL. Prof. Dr Sotomayor Torres will work to foster the institute’s mission of advancing nanotechnology research and innovation and to promote the institute’s global impact for the benefit of society. Prof. Dr Sotomayor Torres earned her Ph.D. in Physics at Manchester University and has held significant roles in various European research centres. She has also been honoured with numerous awards and grants, including the ERC Advanced Grant in 2021 for her pioneering work in phononic interconnects aimed at energy-efficient electronic circuits. Prof. Paulo Freitas DDG, INL

DIAMOND-CONNECT: Advancing Brain Cell Activity Sensing with Quantum Diamond Technology

The DIAMOND-CONNECT project aims to use advanced quantum measurement methods for the observation of neuronal signalling. One promising technique involves using the glow of nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamonds to measure parameters such as temperature and magnetic fields on a tiny scale. The project plans to create a configuration where these nitrogen-vacancy centres are placed very close to neuronal cells at the surface of the diamond material to read their activity using quantum light signals. A special laser is used to place these centres in specific locations. INL researchers are optimising this colour centre creation for targeted sensing conditions within a network of brain cells. The diamond platform shall carry a tiny electrode that allows it to electrically stimulate the brain cells locally. The electrical activity of neurons creates a magnetic field that will be detected by light emitted from nitrogen-vacancy centres in the diamond. Jana Nieder, leader of the Ultrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics research group, explains that “using a powerful microscope for quantum measurements, we will be able to simultaneously observe the signals from all the centres in the diamond grid. This will help us to study the brain cell activity, neuronal communication and potential changes in response to neuronal stimulation or disease patterns.” The DIAMOND-CONNECT project aims to provide a […]

Investigating Air Quality in Schools with Advanced Sensors and Innovative Strategies

The LEARN project team is focused on understanding how air quality in schools affects children’s learning abilities. This unique EU-funded project aims to overcome existing technological barriers and develop new sensors to detect harmful air pollutants like volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles. By measuring and studying indoor and outdoor air pollutants, as well as biomarkers of exposure, the researchers will assess their impact on children’s cognition. To achieve the project’s goals, a diverse team of leading researchers from various fields, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, air quality, systems biology, engineering, and social sciences, was assembled. To further explore these effects, INL researchers are using C. elegans as biosensors. Nivedita Chatterjee, who works in the Nanosafety research group, explains that “at INL, we set up a non-mammalian alternative model to study toxicity, development and behaviour, and we have been obtaining fascinating results. This will help us to better learn the effect of air pollutants on children’s health“. With LEARN‘s scientific achievements, we will have long-term impacts on indoor air quality technology, significantly improving the quality of life for children in Europe and leading to positive changes in society and the economy. Learn more about LEARN project and follow the project on social […]

INL obtained the “HR Excellence in Research” award

INL was granted the HR Excellence in Research distinction of the European Commission in the framework of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and is now listed among the HRS4R-acknowledged institutions. The award demonstrates INL´s commitment to continuously improving its human resource policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. This achievement is the result of a joint effort involving the INL´s HRS4R Commission (Steering Committee and Working Group) and the research community. From now on, INL can use the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award to promote a stimulating and favourable work environment for researchers. This will be an evolving procedure, and INL will thrive to continue improving its human resources strategies towards a better research environment. The European Commission recognizes with the ‘HR Excellence in Research Award’ the institutions which make progress in aligning their human resources policies to the 40 principles of the Charter & Code. Find here INL listed on the Euraxess website under “Charter and Code Endorsements.

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