Nanobio-RAISE brings together nanobiotechnologists, ethicists and communication specialists to anticipate and discuss the societal and ethical issues likely to arise as nanobiotechnologies develop. The project will implement in 2006 and 2007 what RAISE stands for: Responsible Action on Issues in Society and Ethics. NanoBio-RAISE is a 6th Framework Programme Science & Society Co-ordination Action funded by the European Commission. For more information, please see: www.nanobio-raise.org

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Contents

recent activities

news

publications

selected events

resources on the web

Recent activities

Announcement: 1st Advanced Course on Strategic Communication and Applied Ethics in Nanobiotechnology

11–16 March 2007, St Edmund Hall, Oxford

This five-day Advanced Course for nanobiotechnologists will enable the participants to carry out a wide variety of public communication activities discussing the social and ethical implications of their work with confidence. The programme provides leading experts in public affairs and communication, bioethics, risk assessment and regulatory affairs in the field of nanobiotechnology. Participants will be trained in writing, speaking, debating, preparing communication plans and ethical case studies applied to the various fields of nanobiotechnology.

The participants of the courses will acquire:
- knowledge of the relevant ethical, legal and social aspects of nanobiotechnology
- skills to communicate effectively with the media and the public
- understanding of issues involved in the public acceptance of nanobiotechnology

For more information about the course programme , please contact us at: info@nanobio-raise.org

News

European Commission publishes online guide to successful communications

This online resource is intended to assist project coordinators and team leaders to generate an effective flow of information and publicity about the objectives and results of their work and the benefits to EU citizens in general. It addresses communications via the ‘mass media’, websites as well as printed publications, CDs and video. It includes the brochure 'Communicating Science - a scientist's survival kit' for scientists who wish to engage in communication.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/science-communication/index_en.htm

Delft University of Technology discovers how to control nanowires

A researcher at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft (The Netherlands), has succeeded in controlling the transportation of electrons in semiconductor nanowires. He also discovered how to observe a divergent type of supercurrent in these wires. On Tuesday, June 13, the researcher received his PhD degree at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) based on this research. During his PhD research, he focused on semiconductor nanowires (which were supplied by Philips), and on the integration of nanowires with silicium technology. The researcher was able to make a so-called quantum dot in a semiconductor nanowire. He managed to gain over the number of electrons that can be confined in a quantum dot. He can control this number by means of an externally introduced charge. Press release:
http://www.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=9eff0789-c0b6-4960-bdde-5cc4a00fb73b&lang=en

Publications

IRGC industry and NGO surveys on risk governance in nanotechnology

The International Risk Governance Council (IRGC, Switzerland) has released the findings of two surveys on the role of industry and NGOs in nanotechnology risk governance. The reports summarize current governance strategies employed by industry and NGOs, as well as IRGC's recommended governance strategies.
http://www.irgc.org/irgc/projects/nanotechnology/

Friends of the Earth report on nanomaterials in sunscreens and cosmetics

Friends of the Earth published the report: 'Nanomaterials, sunscreens and cosmetics: Small Ingredients, Big Risks', listing several cosmetic products which contain synthetic nanoparticles. Some molecules such as TiO2, ZnO and in a few cases Carbon fullerenes, currently being used in some face creams and moisturizers, have been found to cause brain damage in fish-experiments and are toxic to human liver cells.
http://www.foe.org/camps/comm/nanotech/nanocosmetics.pdf

ESF Forward Look on Nanomedicine

In early 2003, the European Science Foundation launched its Scientific Forward Look on Nanomedicine. The Forward Look involved leading European experts and led to a definition of the current status of the field and debates on strategic policy issues. Here the discussions and recommendations are presented in full:
http://www.esf.org/publication/214/Nanomedicine.pdf

Selected events

ESF-UB Conference: Nanomedicine - A new opportunity for improving Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment for Disease

15-20 September 2006, Hotel Eden Roc, Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain

The 2006 Nanomedicine Conference is the first in a series of biannual in-depth meetings that will bring together academic and industrial scientists, regulators and policy makers to foster cross-fertilisation in this emerging multidisciplinary field. This meeting series has been established to encourage interdisciplinary exchange at the leading edge of all aspects of nanomedicine research and its development into clinical practice.
http://www.esf.org/esf_genericpage.php?section=10&language=0&genericpage=2530

European Nanosciences

19-20 October 2006, Brussels, Belgium

Nanosciences are advancing rapidly thanks to the strong synergy among disciplines, encouraging connections with biotechnology and biomedicine, information technology and computing science as well as with cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience. The “European Forum on Nanosciences” aims to explore the wide range of new possibilities, underlining the international and interdisciplinary character of this field.
http://www.cost.esf.org/index.php?id=875

NanoBiotech World Congress

16-17 November 2006, Boston, USA

http://www.selectbiosciences.com/conferences/nanobiotech2006/

Resources on the web

Brochures, films and education materials on the European Commission Nanotechnology pages

http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/src/mobility.htm
http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/src/pressroom_films.htm