Young researchers trained in nanotechnology
Many clinical labs are starting to perform diagnostic assays using miniature devices and materials down to a billionth of a metre in size. These nanotechnologies include magnetic nanoparticles that can detect or trap proteins, DNA or pathogens in biological samples. Since these technologies require integration of different scientific disciplines, their benefits are limited by the number of researchers with experience in all these areas. The EU funded BIOMAX (Novel diagnostic bio-assays based on magnetic particles) project trained young researchers to perform integrated diagnostic experiments using nano-scale devices and equipment. BIOMAX established a European-wide network of research groups from six academic and four industrial partners to develop rapid diagnostic tests using magnetic nanoparticles. Such bioassays may include anything from diagnosing genetic disorders to detecting viruses in blood or tissue samples. Young researchers were trained through doctoral programmes at local universities and in network-wide summer schools, workshops, conferences and research exchanges. Through BIOMAX, 13 research fellows, 11 young researchers and their respective host labs reported breakthroughs using magnetic particle-based diagnostic devices. Successful secondments and networking between research groups also led to further collaborations on EU-funded projects in the diagnostics field. Through these activities, BIOMAX succeeded in training the next generation of industrial and academic researchers in the emerging field of nanobiotechnology.
Keywords
Young researchers, nanotechnology, diagnostic tools, magnetic nanoparticles, bioassays
