The main activities carried out during the duration of NanoMedTwin projects and the main results achieved include the following:
- Aiming to promote the links between Nano and Biomedicine fields, 11 expert staff visits were performed to all partner institutions and NCMST, and 19 student training visits form 4 to 6 months in duration were carried out to the consortium partners. The expert visits aimed at identifying research and training activities based on joint interests. The students training visits focused on nanotechnology fabrication and characterization, tissue engineering and biomedicine, as well as extensive networking with peers and liaison with internationally recognised experts.
- The Advanced Training Course on Nanotechnologies and Biomedical Engineering of 188 hours included topics such as nanotechnology, nanoelectronics, nanomedicine and nanomaterials, biomedical engineering, biomaterials, biocompatibility, bioengineering and bioinstrumentation. The courses attended by up to 35 students lasted from October 2019 to May 2020. Two Autumn Schools on Nanotechnologies and Biomedical Engineering were organized in September 2019 and June 2021.
- Focused on building capacities for the promotion of technology transfer in the field of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, senior staff visits and a student training visit (4 months) were carried out to the UnivBris. Due to restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemics, part of activities in 2020 and 2021 were carried out online, including an online meeting with experts in IP and TT from the UnivBris in October 2020, followed by an online meeting with experts in business development and research commercialization from KTH in December 2020. An extensive training on IP protection and Technology Transfer, with a duration of 60 hours, has been developed by national experts and delivered to students and young researchers, during October-December 2020. It was then complemented by the Research and Innovation Workshop series, delivered online by the Spin Up Science team from the UK in March 2021 and by the second Summer School focused on “Innovations in Nanomedicine” in July 2022.
- Researchers from NCMST, TUM and other research institutions in Moldova received training on H2020 provided by EFPC. Four three-day workshops on Framework Program proposal preparation and project implementation, as well as Financial Rules and Regulations were attended by about 120 participants and receiving a very positive feedback from the audience.
- NanoMedTwin network of regional, national and European contacts increased, based on activities of mutual interest and new collaborative links. The international visibility of Moldova in nano-biomedicine increased considerably due to the organization of 2 editions of the International Conference on Nanotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, held in Chisinau in September 2019 and November 2021 (online), with active participation of NanoMedTwin consortium partner experts. The Proceedings of the ICNBME conference were published by Springer. The brokerage event organised in September 2022, brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, students and decision makers from Moldova, Romania, Germany, Italy and Japan. NCMST integration in the activities of the European Technology Platform on Nanomedicine (ETPN) resulted in preparation and submission of several research projects with international consortia.
- Dissemination of NanoMedTwin project results was ensured via participation in international conferences and workshops, four newsletters, via national mass-media (TV Companies, Radio-Moldova, news agencies portals). Thirty-nine scientific papers have been published by the project team in high-rank international journals.