Latest News

Four areas where the underlying challenge can lead to huge opportunities for those who make this connection are energy, sustainability, healthcare and sustainability.  Focusing on these, the Technology Strategy Board is running a new competition to stimulate innovative new ideas in these areas - but it is not a standard competition!

UK scientists have shed new light on a gene that appears to drive much human evolution and genetic diversity.

Latest figures released by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) point to a steady, growing trend in photovoltaic (PV)-generated electricity. Newly installed PV cells generated 7.4 gigawatts (GW) of power globally in 2009, of which 5.8 GW were produced in Europe, says the JRC its 9th annual Photovoltaics Status Report, released on 6 September.

Diabetes drug still available despite suspension advice

Presented according to research themes, the 325 page document contains details of all the projects that have been funded so far under the ‘Environment (including climate change)’ theme.

The Commission has published a document, in the context of the FP7-ENV-2011 call for proposals highlighting opportunities and measures aiming to foster and support international cooperation in EU funded environmental research.
 

A reflection paper has been produced by the Commission providing background for preparation of the annual Work Programmes of FP7 Theme 2 'Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology'.

The reflection paper of the FP7 Theme 2 "Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology" serves as the basis for the overall strategy and priority settings for the period 2007-2013 and in addition it is used as the main reference text in the preparation of the annual Work Programmes.

Scientists from China and the UK have discovered that a leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus, uses a cocktail of antibiotics to keep its fungus gardens neat. Among these antibiotics, which are produced by bacteria living on the ants, is a novel compound that could be used to treat fungal infections. The study, published in the journal Biomed Central (BMC) Biology, is the first to demonstrate that a single ant colony uses multiple antibiotics .

Edinburgh scientists are attempting to find the trigger which leads older people to develop dementia.

Experts at Teagasc (Ireland's Agriculture and Food Development Authority) and University College Dublin say municipal waste and manures can become an important source of disease-suppressive composting material which keeps plant diseases at bay.

UK businesses are being invited to compete for support to develop innovative technologies to create new growth areas for the UK economy. The Technology Strategy Board is inviting collaborative applications from organisations operating in a range of technology areas.

The deadline for proposals to the 2010 Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) Call is 13th October 2010. The Energie Helpline team is providing proposal clinic (one to one meetings of 1 hour with a member of the Helpline team to discuss your proposal) and proposal review services prior to the this deadline.

EU-funded scientists have discovered that a mutated protein inherent in Huntington's disease (HD) performs an unforeseen role in neurogenesis. The work was supported by the European Research Council's Starting Grant scheme.

An EU funded project is focused on developing a fully automated, integrated lab-on-a-chip (LOC) system for the detection and characterisation of circulating and disseminated tumour cells, CTCs and DTCs. The novel LOC will lead to faster and cost-efficient diagnosis of cancer. The project is supported under the 'Information and communication technologies' (ICT) Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Use of morphing flight control surfaces has enabled the development of a cost effective unmanned air-sea rescue plane that can operate in extreme weather conditions despite its light weight and small size. State-of-the-art avionics and cameras on board the seaplane ensure a smooth flight for extended rescue and surveillance missions, while reducing risks to material and crews.

An EU-funded team has created a software platform that enables the use of multi-core technology on mobile embedded computing devices by way of virtualisation techniques. The project received almost EUR 3 million in support under the 'Information and communication technologies' (ICT) Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

The Construction Unit at Tecnalia (in conjunction with the University of Cantabria) has taken part in the Sunglass project. The aim is to develop a new product for the building Sector. This involves a glass that augments the efficiency of photovoltaic solar systems.

Changes in the law on enviromental issue

Travellers could plan their trips in a one-stop shop, buying just one ticket for a journey with multiple means of transport.

Changes in the law for the bioscience industry

Changes in the law for the transport and logistics sector

Changes in the law for the agriculture industry

On the Sept 20th-21st Olso is hosting an international conference on marine ingredients. This conference will be a good opportunity for UK academics and companies to look for opportunities to contribute to emerging industry. The Technology Strategy Board and the Biosciences KTN will be attending and would to hear of anyone from the UK who will be attending or wishes to attend. They may have some funding available for companies wishing to visit.

TAIEX is the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument managed by the DG Enlargement of the European Commission. TAIEX supports partner countries with regard to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation. A briefing note from Scotland Europa.