IRMED is a scientific project funded by the European Commission, Marie Curie Actions, Seventh Framework Programme, Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways - IAPP.

The aim of the project is to focus on the development and optimisation of intelligent recognition materials for applications in extraction and detection, focusing on the molecular imprinting approach.

Three key scientific aims have been identified: (i) development and optimisation of new imprinted polymers; (ii) MIP products and applications to the market (iii) new concepts and innovative thinking in intelligent recognition materials.

This partnership brings together three teams from France and the United Kingdom. The scientific interests of these groups have a common denominator in the application of molecular imprinting for the preparation of new intelligent materials and the use of these materials in synthesis, catalysis and assay devices while the scientific background of the groups is divergent ranging from bioengineering and nanobiotechnology to synthetic chemistry and polymer chemistry all the way to product oriented research and technology R&D.

The field of molecular imprinting has now reached an important stage where further technological advance will require closer interactions of academia and industry. Researchers with broad competences in chemistry, chemical technology as well as product development are needed to bring this promising and truly European technique into its new stage of application and commercialisation. The close collaboration between academic teams and an SME fully involved in this area, working together on this project will provide the ideal platform.

This project will provide a unique training platform for young researchers and provide the means for the development of new intersectorial and lasting collaborations between the partners and through the newly acquired experience, with external groups as well. IRMED will help create a stronger link between academic research and industrial R&D. The integration and exchange of ESR and ER will mutually increase the partners’ workforce and effectiveness.

The scientific objectives of this project are the following:

1. Short-term development and optimisation of new MIPs
Within this objective, technologies and materials already developed by the partners will be used to optimize existing, and develop new MIPs according to the requirements of specific products.

2. MIP products and applications – from bench to  market
This objective aims at the technology and product development for two analytical devices, with immediate or short-term commercial potential, based on current research activity of the teams.

3. Long-term R&D - Innovative thinking.
In order to assure long-term competitiveness of the partners, Objective 3 is to build a portfolio of new techniques and materials. The aim of this part of the project is clearly the development of entirely new concepts.

The transfer of knowledge program has been devised taking into account the three main objectives of this partnership, that are (T1) scientific ToK; (T2) professional development; (T3) long term collaborations. The partnership has identified four key actions along which the program will develop, and these are i) secondment of researchers, ii) recruitment of new researchers, iii) partnerships events, iv) return home plan.

This project will provide the means for the development of new intersectorial and lasting collaborations between the partners and, through the newly acquired experience, with external groups as well. IRMED will help create a stronger link between academic research and industrial R&D. The integration and exchange of ESR and ER will mutually increase the partners’ workforce and effectiveness, not to the least via the recruitment of external experienced researchers with specific know-how and experience in the relevant fields. Dissemination of results will occur in accordance with the IPR strategy, where protection of invention will have a significant place, followed by scientific publications, participation to international conferences and fostering of new collaborations.

List of publications by the IRMED teams since the start of the project.

Scientific progress.