The EU initial training network PEPMIP or »Robust Affinity Materials for Applications in Proteomics and Diagnostics« will focus on the development of robust “antibodies” made of plastic and other tailor-made materials, for applications in bioanalysis. It is supported with roughly three million Euro and will be coordinated by PD Dr. Börje Sellergren from the Faculty of Chemistry at Technische Universität Dortmund.

It is envisaged that the high stability of such plastic antibodies, their reproducibility and their low production costs will pave the way for innovative, sensitive, reliable and economic methods in bioanalysis and medical diagnostics. Moreover it is foreseen that the research will lead to new nanotechnological tools for pharmaceutical and medical research. The project is budgeted for four years within the scope of EU:s »Marie-Curie-Program« which supports training of junior scientific staff on an international level. For this purpose, nine specialized academic research groups and three partners from industry teamed up to form a so-called »Marie Curie Initial Training Network«. PEPMIP will fund ten early stage researchers (PhD students) as well as two postdocs starting January 2012. Within several training modules the students will, apart from the scientific skills, be provided with a broad training in entrepreneurship including intellectual property rights, and general business skills. Further training in science communication and project management are also foreseen.Besides the Dortmund chemists other scientists from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain and Germany will participate in the project. The Kick Off meeting will take place in Dortmund in January 2012.

Contact
PD Dr. Börje Sellergren
Phone: +49 (0)231 / 755-4082

• EU Millions to the development of »Plastic Antibodies« - Chemists of TU Dortmund University Coordinate Multinational Network