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pan-European Management of Biological toxin incidents through standaRdisAtion initiatives for Crisis response Enhancement

Project description

Enhancing Europe’s management of biotoxin incidents

Biotoxins present significant challenges for current crisis management, as existing approaches do not fully address the complex nature of a biotoxin crisis. The EU-funded EMBRACE project aims to enhance Europe’s response to biotoxin incidents. By consolidating scientific and clinical knowledge, with an emphasis on standardisation, the project seeks to update response protocols and provide more effective disaster management solutions. Project work includes new biotoxin analyses, recommending appropriate personal protective equipment and decontaminants, identifying human biomarkers of exposure, creating diagnostic devices, developing software tools for risk assessment, and creating a biotoxin reference and stakeholder hub to facilitate knowledge exchange. Through engagement with existing initiatives, the project will establish a comprehensive biotoxin knowledge network and Biotoxin Task Force.

Objective

Biotoxins pose significant challenges to current crisis management approaches. Existing concepts of operation, derived from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear doctrines, and Union Civil Protection Mechanism initiatives, do not address the distinctive and highly complex attributes of a biotoxin crisis. EMBRACE aims to improve Europe’s capacity to respond effectively to biotoxin incidents.
We will consolidate and apply scientific and clinical knowledge of biotoxins to revise response protocols and deliver innovative solutions specifically tailored to address gaps and needs identified in current provision. Highlights include analysis of biotoxins not previously addressed in this context, risk-based recommendations for PPE and novel decontaminants, in vitro studies to identify human biomarkers of exposure, novel samplers, portable biosensors and field diagnostics devices, and software tools to assist responders in biothreat risk assessment. To ensure intersectoral and cross-border interoperability of these solutions and successful commercialisation of our exploitable assets, we will prioritise a carefully planned standardisation and valorisation programme. EMBRACE will engage with existing initiatives and projects to create a vibrant biotoxin knowledge network; a multi-sectoral community of stakeholders, on the basis of which a sustainable Biotoxin Task Force will be established as a source of expertise and guidance on biotoxin incidents both for EMBRACE and the wider community. The network of stakeholders and EMBRACE’s ambitious programme of scientific, technological, and operational advances will be supported by the creation of a biotoxin reference and stakeholder hub designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and provide users with direct access to widely distributed and expertise. Finally, EMBRACE’s innovative sustainability strategy will ensure that its solutions and the biotoxin community continue to thrive beyond the duration of the project.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL3-2023-DRS-01

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Coordinator

TELESTO TECHNOLOGIES PLIROFORIKIS KAI EPIKOINONION EPE
Net EU contribution
€ 763 750,00
Address
ODOS IMITOU 62
155 61 ATHINA
Greece
SME
Yes
Region
Αττική Aττική Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 763 750,00

Participants (15)

Partners (2)