This  programme sits at the intersection between micro/nano devices, systems and applications, namely in the biotechnology and biomedical areas. These areas are fast moving, highly competitive and deeply multi and interdisciplinary. Such a programme requires: (i) active participation in national and international networks; (ii) participation in national and international research projects; (iii) interaction with companies and encouragement of start-up formation and creation of intellectual property, due to its technological and applied content.
This doctoral programme will closely associate the PhD students with the international collaborations of the proponents. This will be both in the framework of mobility (see section 4.3) and within the regular collaborative research activities of the proponent groups.
EXTERNAL PARTNERS GROUP AIM has secured the support of scientists at major international institutions covering the multidisciplinary topics of this Programme. The scientists in this group will provide lectures and seminars within the doctoral program and will welcome the PhD students in the Programme into their labs for short stays through collaborative research activities contemplated in the PhD thesis workplans.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND EUROPEAN PROJECTS The proponents of this proposal are active in International training activities and European projects which will also contribute to the International scope of the AIM program through the participation of its PhD students in these projects and opportunities for networking. For example, INESC-MN has participated in training activities organized at the European level within the scope of several training networks: ULTRASMOOTH (2004-2008), SPINSWITCH (2006-2010), SPINICUR (2012-2015) and PROSENSE (2012-2015). IBB-IST is involved in training activities within the European Society of Biochemical Engineering Sciences. The participation of AIM team members in International training and European projects can be found in the individual researcher CVs.
COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY AND START-UPS Many of the proponents’ research activities are closely associated to companies and exposure to the industrial environment is a central objective of the doctoral programme. For example, proponent James Yates runs a start-up (NPS). INESC-MN has a regular collaboration with MRAM and magnetic sensor industries (Crocus, Seagate, Lertech, Nordiko). Recently, a startup related with magnetic biochips has been created (involving proponent teams INESC-MN and INESC-ID). In another example, the IBB team collaborated with Bayer Technology Services at the Leverkusen facility and originated the filing of a joint patent on purification of biomolecules with aqueous two-phase systems.