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INL Partners with Startup Braga and 2CA-Braga to Launch the Global Health Accelerator

A new initiative to foster innovation in health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), in collaboration with Startup Braga and the Clinical Academic Center of Braga (2CA-Braga), has announced the launch of the Global Health Accelerator, a programme designed to support early to mid-stage startups developing innovative solutions in health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. This initiative aims to accelerate groundbreaking projects by providing startups with direct access to industry leaders, expert mentorship, and tailored entrepreneurship training. A Strategic Platform for Innnovation: The Global Health Accelerator offers participating startups the opportunity to: develop pilot projects and proof-of-concepts (POCs) in collaboration with key industry stakeholders; engage in intensive bootcamps focused on entrepreneurship, business development, and market strategy; and receive mentorship from experienced professionals in the health, biotechnology, and nanotechnology sectors. Applications open until 28 February Startups looking to scale their innovations and bring transformative solutions to the market are encouraged to apply before 28 February. More information and application details are available at globalhealthaccelerator.com. The Global Health Accelerator is co-funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the NextGenerationEU programme, reinforcing a commitment to fostering cutting-edge innovation in Europe’s health and technology sectors.

INL recognised as ‘Key Innovator’ for paper-based packaging innovation

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) has been recognised as a “Key Innovator” by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar for its transformative paper-based packaging innovation. Developed as part of the FlexFunction2Sustain project under the Horizon 2020 framework, this cutting-edge solution offers improved water and oxygen barriers for fresh food packaging. The European Commission’s analysis categorised this innovation as “Business Ready”, signifying its readiness for market adoption. Moreover, the project addresses the needs of existing markets, emphasising its significant contribution to sustainable packaging solutions. Revolutionising Packaging with Sustainability in Mind In collaboration with project partner SONAE MC – SERVIÇOS PARTILHADOS, SA, INL’s innovation aims to revolutionise packaging for fresh foods by combining eco-friendly materials with enhanced performance capabilities. This breakthrough innovation helps industries reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring the quality and freshness of packaged food. The efforts at INL were coordinated by Pablo Fuciños from the Pastrana Research Group, whose expertise in sustainable innovation and project management was crucial in aligning the development process with the project’s goals. About FlexFunction2Sustain The FlexFunction2Sustain project focused on enabling the adoption of sustainable materials and processes in flexible and printed electronics, packaging, and medical industries. The outcomes of the project demonstrate the potential […]

Driving Innovation Together: The Johns Hopkins-INL 2025 Consulting Experience

The long-standing collaboration between Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and INL has entered its ninth year, continuing to inspire and drive innovation. As part of the immersive, project-based course on the Practice of Consulting, graduate students from JHU’s Engineering Management programme visited INL last week. Their visit culminated in a presentation of their work on January 14th, marking another chapter in this enriching partnership. This collaboration is far from ordinary. For one intensive week, the students lived at the INL Guesthouse, diving headfirst into the world of nanotechnology and its transformative potential. Their task: to work closely with INL’s research groups and provide strategic insights into commercialising cutting-edge projects. The result? Detailed reports and leads that bridge the gap between scientific research and market opportunities, showcasing how technological breakthroughs can be transformed into impactful innovations. Guiding the students through this challenging process was Andy Ross, Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of the Professional Communication Program at JHU. His mentorship ensured the students approached their work with a blend of analytical rigour and creativity, resulting in actionable business strategies for INL’s researchers. Ana Vila was the organiser for this year’s JHU collaboration at INL. She makes emphasis on the value of this […]

INL researchers are exploring new ways to predict breast cancer metastasis

A research project called 3DSecret is exploring innovative methods to predict breast cancer metastasis by analysing tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream. 3DSecret focuses on understanding how these cells contribute to cancer spreading to distant organs, which is the primary cause of mortality in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer metastasis often occurs via the hematogenous route, i.e. through the bloodstream. The presence of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) provides an opportunity to study the disease through blood samples rather than invasive tissue biopsies. Using specialised devices, INL researchers can isolate these tumour cells from blood samples. The next step involves cultivating individual CTCs in an artificial culture system, in the lab, designed to mimic their natural environment. Data from these cultures are then analysed using artificial intelligence algorithms. By examining the genetic profiles of the tumour cells and the substances they secrete, the project aims to identify unknown drivers of breast cancer metastasis. Recently, the project technical coordinator, Miguel Xavier, was at ‘90 Segundos de Ciência’, a series of science communication episodes with daily broadcasts on the Portuguese public radio Antena 1. Miguel is confident about the broader implications of this project, “this research could provide insights into the relationship between […]

Phages – A dual solution to the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Crisis

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing global health threats of our time, directly causing and contributing to millions of deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Beyond the human toll, the economic impact is staggering. By 2050, AMR could add $1 trillion in healthcare costs annually and slash global gross domestic product (GDP) by up to $3.4 trillion per year by 2030. But amidst these daunting figures, a beacon of hope has appeared – bacteriophages (phages). In an era where AMR poses one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, phages, viruses that specifically target bacteria, represent a revolutionary alternative to traditional antibiotics. A recent milestone in this field has been Portugal’s approval of customised bacteriophage therapies in hospital settings, setting Portugal to be only the third European country, alongside Belgium and France, to approve until now a guiding regulation for these new therapies (INFARMED, I.P. deliberation No. 112/CD/2024, November 15, 2024) for complex bacterial infections. This decision aligns closely with INL’s cutting-edge research on phages. Dr. Sanna Sillankorva, a tenured staff researcher from the Bañobre Research Group at INL has been instrumental in this progress. Her work focuses on isolating and […]

FORGING Workshop Series: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in Brussels

This week, Brussels became the epicenter of innovation and collaboration as FORGING hosted its highly anticipated three-day workshop series. The event gathered over stakeholders from academia, industry, policymaking, and civil society, all united by a shared mission to advance enabling technologies for a sustainable future. FORGING reimagines traditional innovation by focusing on human-centered technologies aligned with Industry 5.0 principles. It moves beyond efficiency and productivity, emphasizing technology’s positive societal impact. By leveraging 6 Technological Pathways, FORGING identifies use cases to accelerate the adoption of responsible and sustainable solutions. The workshops explored transformative topics critical to shaping the future of Industry 5.0, including: Real-Time Based Digital Twins; Simulation Technologies; and Human-Machine Interaction Technologies. A standout moment was the expert pitch by Ensieh Iranmehr, INL Staff Researcher, who presented on “Non-Invasive Tool Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Using High-Sensitive Spintronic Sensors.” Her presentation highlighted how cutting-edge sensing technologies are driving industrial innovation and sustainability. Co-organized with APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea, the workshops offered a unique platform for participants to co-design use cases for emerging technologies. From exploring the potential of haptic technologies and e-skin sensors to leveraging predictive maintenance and cognitive digital twins, the sessions emphasized actionable solutions and cross-sector collaboration. As a hub of European collaboration, Brussels offered the ideal setting for the workshops, reinforcing the project’s mission to bridge the […]

FRONTHS1P Project General Assembly Inspires Progress

On December 5th and 6th, the FRONTHS1P General Assembly convened in the vibrant city of Bolzano, hosted by the University of Bozen-Bolzano at the NOI Techpark Alto Adige. This pivotal event brought together all Work Package leaders to review the project’s progress, share updates, and plan the next steps for achieving its ambitious goals. A standout feature of the gathering was the visit to the University laboratories, where attendees had the opportunity to witness groundbreaking advancements, including the combustion chamber and gasifier testing. These demonstrations highlighted the innovative work driving FRONTHS1P’s mission forward, showcasing the potential of sustainable solutions in action. FRONTHS1P is a transformative initiative based in the Łódzkie region of Poland, a region with a unique dual identity: historically reliant on coal extraction but also a trailblazer in circular (bio)economy since the early 2000s. Over the next four years, the project aims to lead the Łódzkie region through a green and just transition, moving away from a linear economic model toward one rooted in sustainability. Central to this vision are four Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS), each targeting critical sectors: Wood Packaging; Food & Feed; Water & Nutrients; and Plastic & Rubber Waste. These CSS are designed for decarbonization […]

INL Hosts H2 Green Valley Agenda WP4 Meeting Focused on Hydrogen and Green Energy

On December 3rd, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) welcomed project teams from INL, Instituto Superior Técnico, and HyLab for a pivotal meeting under the H2 Green Valley Agenda’s Work Package 4 (WP4) – Transversal R&D. The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts driving innovation in hydrogen and green energy technologies. During the event, participants explored INL’s state-of-the-art laboratories, gaining valuable insights into the research and development efforts focused on energy, particularly hydrogen and green energy solutions. The teams also engaged in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge, sharing their experiences and the outcomes of specific projects in the hydrogen sector. The day concluded with a focused working session addressing the ongoing tasks and objectives of work package within the context of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), ensuring alignment and progress toward the agenda’s overarching goals. This meeting underscored the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing green hydrogen technology. The H2 Green Valley Agenda continues to contribute to a sustainable energy future, with INL playing a central role in fostering innovation and partnership in this transformative sector.

Denis Santos explores the critical role of sensors in ensuring safety and efficiency within the H2 Green Valley Agenda

At INL, innovation is at the core of our mission to address global challenges. Dr. Denis Santos, a Research Engineer in the Piteira Research Group since 2023, is advancing sensor technology with applications ranging from biomedical fields to energy systems. In this interview, Denis Santos explores the critical role of sensors in ensuring safety and efficiency within the H2 Green Valley Agenda, Portugal’s leading green hydrogen initiative. He discusses how working on large-scale projects shapes innovation, balancing cutting-edge research with market needs, and emphasizes the importance of public trust in the scalability of hydrogen systems. With experience at CERN, Denis Santos offers a unique perspective on transforming research into real-world applications through industry partnerships and technology transfer. His work highlights the power of collaboration in building a sustainable, safe energy future. Dive into this interview to learn how advanced sensor technologies are shaping the path toward a greener tomorrow. In what ways could your work in sensors contribute to monitoring safety and efficiency in the green hydrogen value chain for the H2 Green Valley Agenda? Hydrogen holds great promise in both the stationary and transportation energy sectors since no harmful emissions are produced during its combustion and it is generally considered […]

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INL in the Media

February 3, 2026

elCorreoGallego | De Bertamiráns a un centro de referencia en Europa: el investigador que ayuda a redefinir el futuro de la tecnología – Iván Prieto

Nanowerk | Researchers developed a CMOS platform that reads 32 graphene sensors in real time

January 29, 2026

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