Part of the Annual Canadian Nanomedicine Meeting, NanoForum Canada
and the Fifth Northern Lights Summer Conference of the
Canadian Federation of Biological Sciences

June 20-21, 2007

Waterloo , Ontario, Canada

In recent years, nanomaterials research has pushed the frontiers of science in Canada and around the world as scholars pursue new technologies, new applications and seek to understand the risks and rewards associated with the manipulation of matter at the molecular level. Research, development and regulation have quickly become the focus on major international projects within universities, businesses and governments.

Recognizing the importance of international collaboration in this field, the European Union announced 3.475 billion euros for nanotechnology research over the next seven years and chose, for the first time, to encourage international participation in all European research activities.

To increase the quality, quantity and impact of cooperation between academic, industrial and government stakeholders in Canada and Europe in this critical area, the European Research Area – Canada Initiative (ERA-CAN) will host a workshop, engaging European scholars and the European Research Directorate-General, at the Annual Canadian Nanomedicine Meeting, NanoForum Canada and Fifth Northern Lights Summer Conference of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (CFBS).

To participate in ERA-CAN workshop, please register for one of the following conferences by following the links below (participation in the ERA-CAN workshop is free for all conference delegates):

Annual Canadian Nanomedicine Meeting (June 20-21 – organized by CIHR and CFBS)

NanoForum Canada (June 18-20 – organized by NRC, NSERC and CIHR)

Fifth Northern Lights Summer Conference of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (June 20-22, organized by CFBS).

Reimbursement: Please note that delegates attending both the Nanomedicine Meeting and NanoForum Canada will be eligible for a $75 reimbursement following the events with proof of registration at both. Please refer to CIHR Travel Expenses Guidelines.

             Nanotechnology Workshop - Program

The Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials: European Research and Funding Opportunities

Part of the Annual Canadian Nanomedicine Meeting, NanoForum Canada
and the Fifth Northern Lights Summer Conference of the
Canadian Federation of Biological Societies
June 20-21, 2007
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

The European Research Area – Canada Initiative (ERA-CAN) aims to increase the quality, quantity, profile and impact of cooperation between academic, industrial and government stakeholders in Canada and Europe in all areas of research and technological development. ERA-CAN receives funding from European Union and eight federal Canadian research organizations.

Workshop Objectives: The ERA-CAN Workshop seeks to increase awareness of European and Canadian research and funding opportunities on the toxicology and risk assessment of nanomaterials.

12:15 – 1:45 pm

ERA-CAN Luncheon
Federation Hall

"Welcome / Introduction"
Dr Janusz Lusztyk, Director of Research
National Institute for Nanotechnology, NRC

"Funding Opportunities in Europe"
Dr. Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Research Programme Officer
Nano and Converging Sciences and Technologies Unit
Directorate-General for Research, European Commission

"Trends in European Research on the Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials"
Dr. Frédéric Schuster, Project Leader, NanoSafe2
Direction de la recherché technologique, CEA/Fontenay-aux-Roses
Atomic Energy Commission, France

"Next Steps"
Dr. Janet Panford, Director, ERA-CAN

1:45 – 2:30 pm

Scientific Exhibits and Poster Session
Ron Eydt Village Central Complex

2:30 – 6:00 pm

Nanomedicine Meeting
Ron Eydt Village Central Complex

6:00 – 7:30 pm

ERA-CAN Reception
Ron Eydt Village Central Complex

7:30 – 9:30 pm

Nanomedicine Dinner
Location to be determined

2:15 – 5:45 pm

Nanomedicine Meeting
Session: Nanotoxicology and Potential Health Effects
Ron Eydt Village Central Complex

5:10 – 5:30 pm

Featured "Outreach" Presentation

"Nanotoxicology and Environmental Nanotoxicology: An International Perspective on Scientific and Regulatory Challenges"
Dr. Qasim Chaudhry, Senior Scientist
Central Science Laboratory, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

To attend all ERA-CAN nanotechnology activities, please register for the Nanomedicine Meeting (June 20-21) within the Northern Lights Summer Conference of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies (June 20-22) at the University of Waterloo. Program and registration information are available at: http://www.cfbs.org/annual51Introd.html. ERA-CAN activities are free of charge for all conference delegates.

NanoForum delegates are also welcome to attend the ERA-CAN luncheon free of charge. Program and registration information for NanoForum (June 18-20 at the University of Waterloo) are available at: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/nanoforum/

Partial reimbursement of the Nanomedicine registration fee will be provided for attendees of both the Nanoforum and Nanomedicine meetings.

           Nanotechnology Workshop - Abstracts

The Toxicology and Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials: European Research and Funding Opportunities

Part of the Annual Canadian Nanomedicine Meeting, NanoForum Canada
and the Fifth Northern Lights Summer Conference of the
Canadian Federation of Biological Societies

June 20-21, 2007

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Research Programme Officer
Nano and Converging Sciences and Technologies Unit
Directorate-General for Research, European Commission

Dr. Aguar will present the research policy framework shaping European interest the nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies. Her presentation will include information on current funding programs in this area and ways in which Canadian scholars can participate. Specific attention will be given to European interest in research related to risk assessment and potential new initiatives in this area.

The Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission is responsible for implementing research policies and programs in the European Union and their coordination with the research activities of EU Member States carried out at the national level. It launched the Seventh Framework Program (FP7) as the main instrument of research funding in Europe from 2007 to 2013. FP7 has a budget of 53.2 billion euros ($77 billion CAD) including 3.475 billion euros ($5 billion CAD) for nanotechnology-related research.

Dr. Frédéric Schuster, Project Leader, NanoSafe2
Direction de la recherché technologique, CEA/Fontenay-aux-Roses
Atomic Energy Commission, France

Dr. Schuster will speak about the direction or current trends in European research on the risk assessment of nanomaterials.

Nanosafe2 is an integrated research initiative of the European Union divided into four sub-projects where different groups work on selected subjects: (1) detection, monitoring and characterization techniques (2) health and hazard assessment (3) development of secure industrial production systems and safe applications (4) environmental and societal aspects. Its 24 members include international research centres, university and industry leaders as well as innovative SMEs based in seven European countries.

Dr. Qasim Chaudhry, Principal Scientist
Central Science Laboratory, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom

Dr. Chaudhry will discuss the scientific challenges facing regulatory authorities in Europe and the international community and their relationship to current trends in European and international scholarship on nanotoxicology and ecoxicology. He leads a team of researchers at the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) working on nanotechnologies and their environmental, regulatory, and food safety implications.

CSL is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs dedicated to applying science in the protection of foodchain safety and environmental health.

Presentations from Workshop:
Nanotechnology and Environmental Nanotechnology (ppt)
Funding opportunities in Europe for Nanotechnology R&D (pdf)
NanoSAFE (pdf)