Nanoscience has the potential to revolutionise and benefit many aspects of human society. It will lead to radically improved as well as new technologies for information technology, energy generation and elsewhere. It will also lead to novel approaches to the treatment of hitherto intractable diseases.

For example, electrons need to travel shorter distance, and lose less energy on their trip, when electronic devices are made on the nanoscale, offering faster, cheaper and more energy conserving computers and mobile phones. Also, nanoparticles reach new places in the human body when they become sufficiently small, including being able to access the biological cell (when the particles are less than 100nm), the cell nucleus (less than 40nm), cross the blood brain barrier (less than 35nm). This new access potentially opens the way to reach and treat the seat of viral infection, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and many others.

However, all new technologies bring with them uncertainties, and it is important that all steps be taken to ensure the safe and responsible implementation of nanotechnology.

CBNI is Ireland’s National Platform for BioNanoInteraction science, and draws together specialists from its Universities, Institutes and companies. It is one of the world’s leading Centres of knowledge for bionanointeractions applied to the fields of nanosafety, nanobiology and nanomedicine, and is pioneering many of the new techniques and approaches in the arena. It has strong links and co-operations with academia, institutions, industry, and governments world-wide.

It seeks to set standards through commitment to excellence in research and innovation, blended with caution and attention to detail in its’ science, and its public dissemination.

It appreciates its multilateral responsibilities to promote knowledge, economic development, and above all the advancement of these in a safe and sustainable manner. As such, the Centre is founded on principles of integrity and transparency in all of its activities.

The arena is new, and large. To maintain excellence, the Centre has a highly focussed dynamic research program, and supports other areas via collaborations. It welcomes staff, researchers and collaborators that share its commitments from all sectors of the research and development community worldwide.