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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 […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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.

Sensitive Industry: INL joins an innovating Smart Sensors project

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to the industrial landscape, INL signs a contract with Bosch Security Systems and the University of Porto in a joint investment until 2025. “Sensitive Industry” is the new innovation project that allocates funds, supported by COMPETE 2020, to the Industry 4.0 and AIoT areas. The project aims to find solutions for industrial efficiency, quality and production cost, centring on Smart Sensors and AIoT, which combine artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the Internet of things (IoT) infrastructure. “Sensitive Industry” also pertains to transform the Portuguese economy, hoping to make it more digital and sustainable – fundamental goals for the agents working together on the project. Articulating its scope of action within the academic field and the know-how from Bosch Security Systems, the project has concrete applications for the joint investment: collecting and analysing production and logistic data and creating a digital twin in these areas. A key participant in “Smart Sensors”, Diogo Aguiam, Staff Researcher at INL, explains that this subproject collaborates in developing “flat optics and hologram projection to improve compactness and increase the reliability of the imaging sensors.” Diogo is part of the Integrated Micro and Nano Technologies (IMiNa) research group and points to the importance […]

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 […]

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