CIRCLE: Coordinating European Research on Molecular Communications

The theoretical and experimental basis of molecular communications involves a broad range of disciplines including ICT, Biology and Medicine. In essence this research field seeks to leverage biological phenomenon at the molecular level such as inter cell communication, usage of the immune system, bacterial DNA transfer, neuronal signalling and calcium signalling, to build a communications infrastructure for nano-scale devices that can be deployed and coordinate sophisticated operations within biological systems such as the human body.

Among the plethora of envisaged disruptive applications, CIRCLE aims to leverage the heterogeneous expertise of the consortium to coordinate and support ongoing ambitious research objectives. An example of ongoing research activities that the CIRCLE consortium can support is the theoretical and experimental investigation into an intra-body sensor network enabling the networking together of advanced tumour treatment techniques for diseases like cancer.

Main Objectives

Objective 1: Harmonize heterogeneous islands of research

Current research in the area of molecular communications is heterogeneous and dispersed. CIRCLE will put in place a process for establishment and continual update of a Strategic Research Roadmap on Molecular Communications to harmonize research across Member States.

Objective 2: Stimulate guided learning for young researchers

Molecular communications theory requires a unique set of skills. CIRCLE will put in place a process for the establishment and continually update of a Skills Development Plan for young researchers wishing to enter this highly interdisciplinary and unconventional topic of research.

Objective 3: Build a structured community across Europe

To maximise European impact in this fledgling area of research, a well-established strategic research roadmap must be coordinated across the various Member States and harmonised with best practice internationally.

Objective 4: Accelerate the exchange of knowledge and best practice

To rapidly converge towards critical mass, the exchange of knowledge and best practice experimental procedures is essential. CIRCLE will put in place the necessary infrastructure to enable shared access to lab equipment, sharing of code repositories, and exchange of experimental methodologies.

Objective 5: Facilitate a staff exchange program

The best mechanism to stimulate learning of young researchers is to spend time working with experts. Young researchers will be given the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time in another hosting institute offering them the opportunity to extend their knowledge.

Objective 6: Reduce barriers for entry for high tech SME

CIRCLE will engage with a wide range of stakeholders including policy makers, medical professionals, and legal advisors to tackle the major driving factors to ensure that frameworks are in place for European high tech SMEs to take advantage of this potentially game changing technology.