EuMelaNet


The mission:

-to promote basic research on melanins as multifunctional biomaterials, to foster exchange of information and to favour scientific interactions for the efficient advancement of knowledge;

-to bridge the gap between basic and applied research in the field of melanogenesis and melanin-type biopolymers, to accelerate the integration of science and industry, to develop new effective avenues of communication with European industries and companies in order to ‘translate’ fundamental research results into applications;

-to ensure coordination of research, to ease the flow of information, to ensure that appropriate, high-quality and multidisciplinary capability is optimally employed to support European companies and industry, to assemble the views and the aims of participating teams with respect to the need to identify new research opportunities and to establish specific research programmes to improve existing technologies or to develop new melanin-based technologies;

-to provide scientific support, infrastructures and technical training especially to companies and applied research centres interested in exploiting melanins and melanogenesis for practical utility purposes;

-to promote the integration of multidisciplinary research teams in Europe aimed at technology-oriented research projects and to ease the transfer of European know-how and technology to other countries.
 

Activities
-organisation of restricted meetings, colloquia, and other initiatives
-standardization of products, methods and protocols
-supply of chemicals, including standards and reference materials, for experimental and practical purposes
-training courses for industry personnel;
-coordination of multidisciplinary research programmes.

EuMelaNet Network organisation, operation and general rules

Status
EuMelaNet will operate under the aegis of the European Society for Pigment Cell Research as a special interest group. It shall not be a separate legal entity, shall not recruit personnel and shall not have properties or assets. It can not legally bind or engage members in any way. EuMelaNet meetings are scheduled on an annual basis during ESPCR or IPCC meetings.

Network structure

All research partners have the same status within EuMelaNet. Coordination of the network is only for practical purposes and does not imply any officer-like duty. The Network structure and organisation will be defined and formally approved during the XVI ESPCR meeting in Cambridge-Hinxton, UK (2010).

Membership
Enrollment of members to EuMelaNet is on a scientific basis and is aimed at covering a broad range of disciplines and expertise with a view to involving as many countries as possible. All EuMelaNet members must be full ESPCR members. Non-European members which are considered to be knowledgeable and important for the network aims must be members of ESPCR or of one of the ESPCR sister societies. Participation to the network implies compliance to the terms stated in the Agreement formally undersigned by founding members and by new applicants. In particular, members shall be responsible for the implementation of the Network's objectives and should strive to undertake all actions deemed useful in this regard within the aims and scope of the Network. They shall promote melanin research and identify and contact potential industrial partners in their own countries.

Jointly contracted activities
Although EuMelaNet can not legally bind or engage members in any way, members will be considered as privileged partners for any initiative relevant to the aims and scope of the Network. Following interactions within the frame of EuMelaNet, one or more members may decide to enter into joint R&D or other activity with external partners, for which a financial contract and/or a secrecy agreement would be required. The terms and conditions governing such joint activity shall be the subject of separate agreement between the parties involved. Though such agreement shall not be bound or restricted by the terms and conditions of the Network rules, communication to EuMelaNet members of proposals for joint contracted activities and dissemination of open access results is encouraged.
 

Last update: September 11, 2011

Copyright 2011, European Society for Pigment Cell Research (ESPCR)

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