It's the right time to fundamentally structure and integrate the European nanobiotechnology community. Nanobiotechnology is now emerging due to the absolute novelty of its highly interdisciplinary scientific field combining what were previously separate, autonomous, and to some extent unrelated disciplines.

The European Federation of Biotechnology has recently established the first Section on NanoBiotechnology in conjunction with Nano2Life, a proposed Network of Excellence awaiting support from the European Commission for the next 4 years. The application fields of nanobiotechnology are similar to those traditionally addressed by biotechnology: medical or biological diagnosis, drug design, medical applications, and food and environmental monitoring.

The scientific focus of nanobiotechnology lies mainly on a viable interface between biological and non-biological entities at the nanoscale. Success is vital as the communication between these two "worlds" at the molecular level will lead to breakthroughs in the design of a whole new set of nanobio-tools and nanosensors having unforeseen potential especially for medical devices, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and other application fields, e.g., process technology or environmental monitoring. Some of the most advanced and most dynamic organisations in Europe, either governmental or private, have recently taken the initiative of a Network of Excellence supported by the European Commission for the next 4 years. Nano2Life is the first step towards the future European Institute for nanobiotechnology.

The targeted markets have been identified as top priority by EU. It is estimated that nanotechnology will address a potential market of 180 B$ in pharmaceuticals and 30 B$ in improved healthcare in 2010. Nanoparticles in biotechnology represent alone an estimated market of 145 M$ in 2005 and the global market for lab-on-chip systems is estimated at 114 M€ in 2005. By integrating RTD-intensive SMEs, Nano2life will contribute to the transformation of its world-leading research into economic benefits.

Mission
The aim of the Nanobiotechnology Section of the European Federation of Biotechnology is to facilitate the diffusion of nanobiotechnology in the biotechnology industry. The section will provide, on the basis of the corresponding European Network of Excellence Nano2Life, information and assessment about:

• recent scientific and technical developments in the field of nanobiotechnology that could impact the Biotechnology industry;
• novel education and training courses for professionals;
• easy access to the main research institutes and industrial companies active in the field of nanobiotechnology.

Besides this core activity, the section will work in close cooperation with existing EFB Task Groups on dedicated subjects, for instance on public perception and acceptance of nanotechnology for life sciences, and a nanobiotechnology technical roadmap for the biotechnology industry (how to make optimal use of these new and emerging technologies in the next years). Multimedia supported communication and dissemination activities will provide thorough education and awareness of the scientific and industrial community outside the European Federation of Biotechnology and the general public about the impact of nanobiotechnology on industry and society. This will ensure development of nanobiotechnology devices, material and services according to the needs of European industry and in agreement with international social and ethical standards, which will support sustainable development of the European economy in this knowledge intensive area.