‘International Workshop on Nanotechnology-enabled Sensors and Diagnostics’ - 4-5 June 2009

This workshop is a collaborative venture between the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) at DCU, the Nanobiotechnology Center (NBTC) at Cornell University and the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) at the University of Ulster (UU) in Jordanstown. The workshop is honoured to have Prof Harold Craighead in attendance as a speaker. Prof Craighead is currently Director of the NBTC ands is world-renowned for his pioneering contributions to Nanobiotechnology:

The workshop focuses on the intersection of nanotechnology and biosensors/diagnostics. This area of R&D has important societal and economic significance, especially in the area of nanomedicine and its key role in future healthcare. Nanomedicine, the exploitation of advances in nanotechnology for the enhanced delivery of healthcare, offers numerous very exciting possibilities to significantly improve medical diagnosis, imaging and drug delivery, leading to a higher quality of life for everyone. At the same time, nanomedicine is a strategic issue that can contribute significantly to sustainable economic competitiveness

The primary objective of the workshop is the strengthening of collaborative research activity in nanotechnology-enabled sensors & diagnostics between Ireland and the US (especially involving the three partner institutions) and the development of research proposals for sunmission to appropriate funding bodies. In particular, the focus will be on addressing opportunities provided by the US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme and the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission. Both opportunities will be discussed at the workshop.

NBTC, Cornell received funding to run a workshop abroad with international colleagues. They chose the BDI at DCU. DCU has developed strong relationships with both Cornell University and UU over the past decade.

Visit the BDI website for further information.