1. Functional Liquid Crystal Dendrimers: Synthesis of New Materials, Resource for New Applications Functional Liquid Crystal Dendrimers: Synthesis of New Materials, Resource for New Applications Dendrimers: new materials obtained with a highly controlled molecular structure in several space orientations. Liquid Crystal (LC) Dendrimers: dendrimers that incorporate directional properties due to mesophase formation. Liquid Crystal (LC) Dendrimers + Active Molecules: multifunctional anisotropic dendrimers with wide variety of physical properties and new applications in two chosen lines: Biomedicine and Advanced Molecular Materials. The aim is to concentrate and accelerate the knowledge distributed in different countries in Europe and reduce the existing gap between academically developed new materials and their industrial applications. The strategy is based on a multidisciplinary training, which will include modelling of new materials, chemical synthesis and controlled chemical orientation, structural functional studies, physical characterization of structural properties, biological modelling, molecular activity analyses, technology oriented samples and product escalation towards industry processes. These training aspects will go parallel to a research career, complementary formation and cooperation key-events. PROJECT OVERVIEW: The general aim of the “Functional LC Dendrimers: Synthesis of New Materials, resource for New Applications” ITN is to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a joint PhD training programme, looking for multifunctional materials with applications in two fundamental subjects, i.e. Biomedicine and Advanced Materials Science. BASIC DATA: SP3 – People. Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie). Networks for initial training. Grant Agreement nº: 215884. Starting date: 1st October 2008. Duration: 48 months. Maximum Community financial contribution: € 4,219,110.00 PROJECT OBJECTIVES : Training of 16 European PhD (ESR) and improving the skills of 9 post-docs (ER) in this multidisciplinary field. Synthesis and characterization of new functional LC Dendrimers for Biomedical and Science Materials applications. Study of the physical properties of the new materials synthesized. Survey of the potential applications of the compounds prepared in both Biomedicine and Materials Science fields. 1 4 3 2 Francisco Rubio: Project Manager. Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Química Orgánica, C/ Pedro Cerbuna, n°12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain Phone: +34976761209, Fax: +349761209, e-mail: dendreamers@gmail.comdendreamers@gmail.com Juan I. Gallego: Assistant Project Manager, Universidad de Zaragoza, Campus CPS, Edificio I+D+i, Instituto de Nanocencia de Aragón, C/ Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain Phone: +34976762777, Fax: +34976762776, e-mail: gallegoj@unizar.esgallegoj@unizar.es Website: www.unizar.es/dendreamers Theory and Modellization Patras Synthesis and characterisation of the materials Zaragoza / Hull / Strasbourg / Kaunas Applications Pharmamar / Nanologica / Potsdam Design of New Molecular Models New Technical Possibilities For Selective Applications Characterisation of the Physical properties Kaunas / Lisbon / Postdam PARTNERS AND SYNERGIES: