Innovation and networking around polysaccharide science and technology: the European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) view
Résumé
The European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) is a research, education and knowledge transfer network connecting Companies, Academic and Research Institutions working or interested in polysaccharides. It was established owing to the help of the European Commission. It is 40-member strong. Members are legal bodies like universities, research organizations or companies. EPNOE's main missions are: to offer a networking platform enabling close interactions between members in order to favor innovation, boost knowledge transfer and organize R&D activities in a totally confidential manner; to organize basic and applied research for the study of fundamental concepts, the testing of new ideas and the development of new products based on or containing polysaccharides; to organize education in polysaccharide science at the level of continuing education for companies and of post-graduate students and post-docs. The first mission is performed through a variety of tools which will be described and evaluated. A special focus will be to position network organizations like EPNOE in the chain of actions leading to innovation. Information about EPNOE can be found at www.epnoe.eu.