NANOREM has met all the goals proposed and generated a diversity of positive impacts which will go beyond the end of the project.
i) For the Experienced Researcher
NANOREM allowed the fellow to acquire a set of new major concepts and analytical procedures in nanoparticle research. Dr. Caldelas learnt new protocols for the digestion of plant samples and a new Zn purification protocol, and could use a Neptune MC-IPC-MS. During the collaboration with Naturalea Dr. Caldelas gained skills in the design, setting up, and maintenance of a pilot-scale plant-based water purification system. Data have been collected for four publications and a patentable technology, which will boost her career prospects. A strong collaboration was established with researchers from the GET and Naturalea, that we plan to continue in future projects (i.e. ERC Starting Grant). Work in the Urban River Lab also offered great possibilities for networking local research groups (Sabater in UB, Ribot and Gacia in CREAB-CSIC). During the two conferences Dr. Caldelas established contact with two more groups (Sanità di Toppi in U. di Pisa, Italy, and Küpper in Institute of Plant Molecular Biology ASCR, Czech Republic). Finally, she acquired experience managing her own research project, supervising students, communicating her work to a wider audience, and transferring her research into practical and marketable solutions. In this manner Dr Caldelas has prepared herself for the role of group leader and made the most of this opportunity to advance her career.
ii) For the European society – On the first place, NANOREM has had a major impact in the European Research Area by bringing together a multidisciplinary and intersectoral team with the capacity to produce world-class research in NP ecotoxicology. The composition of the team warranted a fluid exchange between disciplines and sectors, maximized the results, and strengthened cross-border links. This positive impact will continue after the end of the project by means of the on-going collaborations that have been established with GET Toulouse and Naturalea. At the same time, this project contributed to retain and train European talent, and to promote gender equality in the ERA. In line with the Innovation Union initiative, the outcomes of this project will enhance the competitiveness of the European companies by means of the new products and practical solutions to the real challenges of the industry that we have obtained. We have developed a compact green filter system for the clean-up of urban run-off water, and a new procedure for NP biosynthesis from Zn-polluted plant extracts. Most importantly, our project has contributed to fill in a gap of knowledge that is hampering the accurate risk assessment of NP as a potential hazard for human and environmental health. In this area, the impact of the action was boosted by increasing the number of species from the original four to six. We hope thus to better contribute to maintain the safety of the European citizens and the quality of our water bodies, in line with the Water Framework Directive.
