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Winners of the #ERN2023 Photo Competition

Winners of the #ERN2023 Photo Competition

The #ERN2023 Photo Competition celebrated science, technology and art in the most creative way and the most eclectic mix of ideas, disciplines and perspectives creating the most far-reaching conversations, in-depth debates, and inspiring developments and playing an important role in making science accessible to a wide audience. This initiative occurred under the European Researchers’ Night 2023 event that took place on September 29, 2023, in different cities of Portugal – Braga, Coimbra, Lisboa and Évora and around Europe. In Braga, the main event happened at Altice Fórum Braga. This year’s motto was Science for Everyone – Sustainability and Inclusion. The #ERN2023 Photo Competition was an open competition and everyone was encouraged to capture scientific phenomena happening all around us and submit up to two original photographs in a unique category: ‘Science for Everyone – Sustainability and Inclusion’ (nano/micro images obtained through microscopes, images related to the labs, setups, sample preparation, simulations, everyday life related to science, etc.) All selected photos were evaluated by a jury composed of internal and external representatives from different areas. Please, find below the 3 winners: First place: HÉLDER FONSECA, PHOTO 30  2073: The ghost yellow room Second place: FREDILSON MELO, PHOTO 52  Bloom, Algae! Bloom! […]

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

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 […]

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OPTIRAS: Advancing Sustainability in Aquaculture

OPTIRAS: Advancing Sustainability in Aquaculture

Today we are celebrating World Maritime Day! This celebration holds immense significance as it serves as a global platform for recognizing and celebrating the pivotal role of the maritime industry in connecting nations, facilitating international trade, and ensuring the world’s prosperity. INL continues to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and sustainability in various sectors, and one of the initiatives towards aquaculture sustainability is the OPTIRAS project. OPTIRAS, short for ‘Optimising RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) Technology in Europe’, is a pioneering project that focuses on enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of recirculating aquaculture systems. RAS technology is vital not only for efficient fish farming but also for minimising the environmental impact of aquaculture operations. These systems reduce water usage and help maintain water quality, ensuring the health of aquatic species and reducing pollution. OPTIRAS project aims to promote the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and best practices in recirculating aquaculture systems across Europe. Renato Gil, an INL researcher working on the project, recently gave an interview where he shed light on the innovative approaches being taken. To learn more about Renato Gil’s insights and the OPTIRAS project’s impact, you can watch his interview here.  On World Maritime Day, and as an […]

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European project FUNLAYERS: a boost for research in functional layered materials

European project FUNLAYERS: a boost for research in functional layered materials

In a concerted effort to advance research and innovation in layered materials, the European project FUNLAYERS (Functional Layered Materials for Advanced Applications) brings together three research institutions to make significant steps in the field of functional layered materials with broad applications.  FUNLAYERS is a collaborative initiative involving INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, ALBA Synchrotron in Barcelona, Spain, and the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany, aiming to achieve the following key objectives: a) fostering a transnational research environment for layered materials, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange; b) enhancing the scientific and research capacity of INL; c) elevating research excellence in developing layered materials with applications in fields such as spintronics and energy storage; d) building strategic partnerships in the international research community, among industry stakeholders, policymakers, the business community, and the general public; e) creating a sustainable environment for future collaborations, ensuring that the advancements made in the field endure beyond the project’s duration. One of the highlights of the FUNLAYERS project is an upcoming workshop scheduled to take place from October 23-25, 2023, at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany. The workshop will bring together experts to discuss recent developments […]

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Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials at INL

Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials at INL

The Conference on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials, took place, this week, in Braga – Portugal, at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. This conference was organised by the SBDToolbox Project team and addressed the most promising methods and tools to obtain the relevant data encompassing the specific properties that differentiate nanomaterials from chemicals. We paid special attention to the particular needs of the diverse impact and application areas, namely health, food or environment and their relationship in the integrative context of ONE HEALTH. This unique event on Tools and Tests for Safer-by-Design Nanomaterials brought together researchers, policy-makers and industry in a full programme with insightful plenaries, invited talks, and networking opportunities.

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i-GRAPE project distinguished by Port and Douro Wines Institute

i-GRAPE project distinguished by Port and Douro Wines Institute

On September 10th, the project i-GRAPE was celebrated amidst “Porto Wine Day”, an event hosted by the Port and Douro Wines Institute (IVDP). With the goal of preserving the wine’s heritage and attained to the theme “Douro + Susteinable”, this was also an opportunity to celebrate Sogrape, which was awarded in the “Viticulture” category. INL is the project coordinator of i-GRAPE and Professor Paulo Freitas, INL’s Deputy Director-General, attended the event, held at Teatrinho Reguense, in the city of Peso da Régua. i-GRAPE is an innovative project, focused on developing a new generation of analytical methods for control of the grape maturation phase and vine hydric stress. Operating in a highly competitive market, its simple, rapid and cost-effective techniques will allow the winemaker to control irrigation in the latest steps of grape maturation, and plan the harvest at the optimum time. When it comes to efficacy, this means optimizing wine quality at the end of the wine value chain. Promoting forefront applications to everyday fields, i-GRAPE provides a digital tool that supports the decision-making processes, making sure that the automation control has an impact in the quality and value of the wine. This tool consists in an apparatus that is […]

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TrustEat Final Conference in Wageningen Netherlands 

TrustEat Final Conference in Wageningen Netherlands 

TRUSTEAT project final conference will take place in Wageningen – Netherlands on September 22, 2023. The one-day event is aimed towards both national and international industrial players, research institutions and universities, as well as national and regional authorities. By bringing together R&D experts and stakeholders, the consortium aims to identify common research goals, overlaps, and promising areas of potential collaboration. The sessions will also include disseminating selected technologies and collaboration opportunities in fundraising through brokerage sessions: TrustEat Final Conference is powered by the KB37 project, which is centred on promoting healthy and safe food systems, bringing together experts from various fields. Know more and register by clicking here.

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

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 […]

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1st International Conference of the Portuguese Association of Cellular Agriculture at INL

1st International Conference of the Portuguese Association of Cellular Agriculture at INL

CellAgri Portugal – Portuguese Association for the Development of Cellular Agriculture together with INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and in partnership with Municipio de Braga, Portugal Foods, Colab4Food and FLAD hosted the 1st International Conference of the Portuguese Association of Cellular Agriculture. This event aimed to foster and encourage the collaborative development of cellular agriculture while sharing the latest scientific and innovative advancements related to cellular agriculture products, such as cultivated meat, fish, milk, collagen, leather, fur, wool, and hair, both nationally and internationally. Some of the most influential minds in cellular agriculture –  Mark Post, Isha Datar, Andrew Stout, and Vítor Espírito Santo joined this unique event as keynote speakers and panellists. They shared their expertise and insights on the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this transformative field. More than 150 participants took part in the conference during two truly productive and inspiring days in which we were able to learn from the best and discuss the most recent advances with leaders in the area.

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