Projects Selected
The first NEST research projects have been selected: ten STREPs - specific targeted research - projects have been retained for funding (see list below). These originate from outline proposals submitted to the first call deadline of 14 May 2003; and were selected after the second stage evaluation, which involved 25 full proposals. These projects are now the subject of contract negotiations, and work should start in spring 2004. In addition, contracts have been signed for three NEST SUPPORT actions (SSAs - specific support actions).
BIODEFENCE
|
| Rapid induction of passive immunity against weapons of bioterrorism using transformed GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) organisms |
| The objective is to develop a completely new mechanism of rapid immunisation, by genetic engineering Lactobacilli - microorganisms which live in the human gastrointestinal tract - to express antibodies of multiple specificities. After ingestion, the microorganisms will colonize the intestinal mucosa and secrete antibodies enabling rapid protection against bioterrorism agents or emerging diseases. TOP |
EA-BIOFILMS
|
| Electrochemical control of biofilm-forming micro-organisms |
| The project aims to exploit "electro active" (EA) micro-organisms that are able to form thin films and to "plug themselves in" to conducting surfaces and extract electrical power directly from them. If successful, such micro-organisms could provide a new and revolutionary way to catalyse and control chemical reactions in diverse applications such as bio-remediation, bio-sensors, and corrosion prevention. TOP |
THE OPTICAL NOSE
|
| An on-line, non-invasive and total-profiling instrument for trace gas sensing applications in medical sciences |
| More than three thousand volatile organic compounds found in human breath may be markers of diseases. This project aims to develop and apply a novel type of laser-based analytical instrument, for rapid, non-invasive screening of human breath to identify specific markers related to various diseases. TOP |
INA
|
| Imaging with neutral atoms |
| The objective is to improve the resolution of helium atom microscopy by a factor of 50, from 1 micron to 0.02 micron. This would create a novel imaging method with unique characteristics and a wide application range (bio-physical, bio-medical, electronics, and other applications), and give European researchers a leading position in the technology of atom optics. TOP |
CHIRALTEM
|
| Chiral dichroism in the transmission electron microscope |
| Using new experimental results, the aim is to develop a novel method for accurate measurement of chiral dichroism (the absorption of circular polarised photons). If successful it will provide a new analytical technique for transmission electron microscopy, allowing accurate measurement of magnetic properties below the surface and in multilayer materials at nanometre resolutions. TOP |
ATOM3D
|
| Advanced techniques for optical manipulation using novel 3D light field synthesis |
| The aim is to develop novel optical manipulation techniques, for "optical tweezers", whereby the momentum carried by the photons of an intense laser beam can be used to manipulate microscopic objects, ranging from atoms to particles in the micron size range. It opens the way for trapping and localising tiny biological samples such as viruses and DNA, and has exciting applications in fundamental science (optics, atomic physics) and technology, including micro-fluidics. TOP |
BIOPLASMA
|
| Bio-engineering by atmospheric plasma treatment |
| Bio-compatible and bio-active surfaces are crucial in many areas of biotechnology and in medical applications such as bone implants. BIOPLASMA aims to develop novel techniques using low temperature plasmas (ionised gases) to bind bio-molecules in order to create low cost bio-active coatings. TOP |
PERFORCE
|
| Perfluorinated organic compounds in the European environment |
| Perfluorinated Hydrocarbons (PFCs), presumably resulting from human industrial activity, can be increasingly detected at trace levels in the environment. The resulting health threat of such potentially toxic chemicals is a matter of growing concern but has not yet been measured. This project aims to establish means to assess both the prevalence and possible health impact of PFCs to human health throughout the EU. TOP |
ELCAT
|
| Electrocatalytic Gas-Phase Conversion of CO2 in Confined Catalysts |
| By combining the size-selectivity of nanoporous membranes with the catalytic properties of noble metals, the objective is to realise an as-yet elusive vision: the production of chemicals from CO2 and H2 under "mild" reaction conditions. This could have enormous industrial and environmental implications ranging from the use of solar energy to produce fuels from CO2 and H2O, and the reduction of greenhouse gases, to chemical syntheses and processing. TOP |
PORGROW
|
| Policy options for responding to the growing challenge from obesity |
| Obesity has recently been recognised as a problem of epidemic proportions, but it is extremely difficult to address, given the range of factors and interest at stake. The project aims to generate a novel form of systematic socio-technical intelligence based on multicriteria mapping, to assist policy formation and pilot a new cross-national methodology to develop more effective anticipatory forward-looking strategies. TOP |
 |
 |
