2014-06-03
missao_nanotecnologia_interna_01
Four experts from the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) took part in a mission to Ireland, France and Italy between 17 and 24 May to discuss with EU experts issues related to the regulation of nanotechnology-based products. The mission was part of the Dialogue on Science and Technology, and was sponsored by the EU-Brazil Sector Dialogues Support Facility, with the coordination of the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management (MPOG) and the European Union Delegation in Brazil (Delbra).
The Irish capital was the starting point of the mission, which was led by the MCTI’s general coordinator of micro and nanotechnology, Mr Flávio Orlando Plentz Filho. The technicians visited the Centre for Bio- Nano Interactions (CBNI), of the University of Dublin, which has 35 researchers from 14 different countries and participates in 14 EU-funded projects, four of which it coordinates. Foremost among them are NanoReg, focusing on nanotechnology regulation; Nanosolutions, which deals with the security classification of nanomaterials and systems biology; and QualityNano, which focuses on best practices for the development of nanotechnology-based products.
Through the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme, the CBNI maintains consortia with foreign experts. Brazilian specialists participate in projects related to regulation, safety and nanotechnology. The Centre also has an interest in receiving students and researchers from Brazil through the federal government’ Science Without Borders programme.
The second leg of the trip included a meeting with the board of directors of the NanoReg Programme, which has the participation of 40 countries. During the meeting, held in Paris, France, an invitation was made to the Brazilian experts for Brazil to join NanoReg. The Europeans proposed that the formalisation of the adhesion be made within the next three months.
Next, the Brazilian experts visited the headquarters of Veneto Nanotech, a nanotechnology centre of excellence located in Rovigo, Italy. Researchers from the institute went through some of the research conducted at the site, especially that related to the NanoReg project, and showed the main activities conducted at their laboratory. It was then the turn of the Italians to learn about the Science Without Borders programme. The staff of Veneto Nanotech showed great interest in cooperating in nanotechnology regulation as well as in participating in the call for participation in the Brazilian programme to be held in Italy.
The last leg of the mission was a visit to the Ispra headquarters of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), in Italy. The Brazilians were greeted by the director and staff of the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) and learnt about the institute’s activities. The Brazilian and EU technicians also discussed topics for cooperation, including nanotechnology regulation, in vitro studies, risk assessment (ecotoxicity) and radioactive markers, among others.
According to Ms Anna Gabriella Tempesta, a technician from the MCTI’s General Coordination of Micro and Nanotechnologies and a mission participant, the exchanges with European experts through the EU-Brazil Sector Dialogues will be of fundamental importance for the Brazilian laboratories that will participate in NanoReg to adjust their methods to those practiced by other laboratories participating in the programme. "The validation of nanotechnology protocols will contribute significantly to the safety of consumers and workers, and consequently for the marketing of nanotechnology-based products", she said.
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