Public–Private Partnerships | Research and Innovation

Dr David Payne says that there is currently little incentive for pharma companies to develop antibiotics. Image credit – Dr David Payne

Interview | Health | Public–Private Partnerships

We need a new way to pay for antibiotics – Dr David Payne

We tend to take antibiotics for granted and not value them in a way that matches their lifesaving role, says Dr David Payne, head of the antibacterial discovery performance unit at pharmaceutical…

Hydrogen-powered vehicles and refuelling stations are popping up around Europe in an effort to reduce air pollution. Image courtesy of HyFIVE

Transport | Public–Private Partnerships | Open Innovation

Crossing Europe on the hydrogen highway

From Bergen in Norway to Bolzano in Italy, specialised refuelling stations mean that drivers of hydrogen-…

Renewable lithium battery packs in solar-powered street lights could last longer than standard lead-acid batteries. Image credit: Pixabay/ Skitterphoto

Energy | Public–Private Partnerships | Open Innovation

Charged up – the batteries lighting the way to a more sustainable future

Street lights may seem just part of the mundane backdrop of life, but many firms have been devising exciting…

There are nearly 100 hydrogen buses on European roads, yet many people do not know hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are already on the market, according to Bart Biebuyck. Image courtesy of Bart Biebuyck

Energy | Interview | Public–Private Partnerships

We have to let people know that hydrogen technology is ready – Bart Biebuyck

People don’t know that hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and home heating systems are already on the market, and that is the biggest obstacle to their uptake, according to Bart Biebuyck, the recently…

Biomass is the best way to transform, reuse and recycle carbon dioxide according to Dr Philippe Mengal. Image courtesy of Philippe Mengal

Agriculture | Interview | Public–Private Partnerships

All products based on fossil fuels could be made from biomass – Dr Philippe Mengal

Non-edible biomass could replace petrochemicals in providing energy to heat and light our homes, as well as in producing a vast array of plastics, lubricants, paints and a host of industrial…

Fusing bacterial proteins to fluorescent molecules has revealed details about the mechanics of cell division, which could be exploited by a new generation of highly targeted drugs. Image from M. Pazos, M. Casanova, P. Palacios, W. Margolin, P. Natale, and M. Vicente. 2014. FtsZ placement in nucleoid-free bacteria. PLoS ONE 9(3): e91984. Courtesy of DIVINOCELL.

Health | Public–Private Partnerships

Complex molecules could beat back drug-resistant bacteria

New imaging techniques are helping give researchers an edge over nature, allowing them to create revolutionary new antibiotics which bacteria will struggle to develop resistance against.

The first calls for research proposals were announced at an event in Brussels on 9 July which included European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. © European Commission

Public–Private Partnerships | Horizon 2020

Diabetes, hydrogen vehicles among targets at EUR 1 bn launch of EU-industry partnerships

The EU, European Member States and private companies have teamed up to boost economic competitiveness, create jobs and stimulate growth through seven public-private partnerships. They have announced…

Andy Doherty, vice-chairman of the European Rail Research Advisory Council, believes rail innovation could have a major impact on the experience of Europe's rail users.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Transport

Virtually connected train convoys to help solve Europe’s transport problems - Andy Doherty

The convoying of trains could be one way to help double railway capacity and reduce carbon emissions, according to Andy Doherty, vice-chairman of the European Rail Research Advisory Council and…

Eric Dautriat, chief executive of Clean Sky. The Clean Sky JTI is working to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Environment

Research can reduce emissions and spur European aerospace innovation – Eric Dautriat

Rethinking aircraft engines and new wing designs have the potential to cut carbon emissions and noise, as well as to boost Europe’s aerospace industry, according to Eric Dautriat, chief executive of…

Europe needs strong action, in which private and public investors get together, in order to keep ahead in the global electronics market, according to Dr Andreas Wild, executive director of the ECSEL initiative.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Industry

Pooling funding to accelerate the move to smart electronics – Dr Andreas Wild

If we want Europe to gain market share in developing technology for smart devices like phones and tablets, we must embrace public–private partnerships, according to Dr Andreas Wild, executive…

Florian Guillermet, the executive director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, believes there needs to be a fundamental change in the way air traffic is managed.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Transport

Europe needs to modernise its sky - Florian Guillermet

European pilots will be able to fold away their maps and free up their radio frequency in favour of more advanced technologies to communicate their trajectories with air traffic control, said Florian…

Hydrogen could make renewable energy a more attractive alternative to fossil fuels, according to Bert De Colvenaer, executive director of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Energy

Hydrogen could help secure Europe’s energy supply – Bert De Colvenaer

The ability to store electricity using hydrogen could make wind and solar power a secure energy source, freeing Europe from its dependency on imported fossil fuels, according to Bert De Colvenaer,…

The executive director of the Innovative Medicines Initiative, Professor Michel Goldman. Image: Arnaud Ghys

Public–Private Partnerships | Opinion | Health

Uniting 6 000 researchers to crack medicine’s toughest nuts – Michel Goldman

The challenge of tackling some diseases is too great for just one institution, company or country. The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is showing that by bringing people together, real progress…