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11-06/07 :: June/July 2011
nanotimes EU-Projects
nanotubes an attractive material also for OLED-based technologies.
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Novel Bio-based Nanostructured Polymer Composites Under Construction
Delivering Viable Nanomedical Treatment
Medical diagnosis, gene therapy, drug delivery and regenerative medicine are only some branches of nanomedicine that hold enormous promise for the future. For nanomedicine to progress, however, there must be full global collaboration between the phar- maceutical, biomedical, clinical and research sectors.
The EU-funded “European network of trans-nati- onal collaborative RTD in the field of Nanomedi- cine” (Euronanomed) project is bridging the gaps between nanomedicine and academia. Euronano- med launched the first call in 2009 on the theme of diagnostics, targeted delivery and regenerative medicine. The call led to the approval and funding of 8 projects with 40 research teams spanning 14 countries. The projects covered subtopics such as anti-cancer therapy, gene therapy, immunothera- py, regeneration of the nervous system and vaccine development. In 2010, the second call for proposals was launched on the same three themes as the first.
Contact: Virginie (Dr) Sivan, COMMISSARIAT A L‘ ENER- GIE ATOMIQUE, Centre de Saclay, Direction des sciences du vivant, Bat 125 point courrier 148, 91191 Gif-Sur-Yvet- te, France, Phone: +33-169088799
Researchers in Austria are investigating how renew- able resources can be used as the basis for multi- functional nanostructured composite materials that will offer improved surface functionality compared to products already on the market. The work is being conducted under the “Surface functionalisation of cellulose matrices using cellulose embedded nano- particles” (Surfuncell) project.
The new materials will be composed of nanoscaled polysaccharides layers with embedded nanoparticles, coating different celluloses matrices. The compoun- ding will target the area where the ‚filler‘ is required; thus, by avoiding the surface and outer layers of the polymers, it will prevent deterioration of the matrix materials‘ chemical properties.
Surfuncell will investigate the effects of cellulose dis- solution, structuration with nanoparticles and irrever- sible coatings. They will also explore several ways to create an entirely new type of high-value bio-based material: its properties will be widely applicable and its functions tailored to meet user needs.
Contact: Volker (Prof.) Ribitsch, University of Graz, Austria, Institute of Chemistry, Associate Professor for Phy- sical Chemistry, Phone: 0043 316 380 5418: http://www.uni-graz.at/en/chewww.htm?=