The UAB Research Park and the Catalan Biotechnology Reference Network, the organisers of the 2017 Generation of Ideas programme with collaboration from CataloniaBio, have awarded the prize for best innovative project to Nanoplastics.

Created by Achille Francone, researcher at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2); Natalia de la Oliva, of the Institut de Neurociències (INc UAB); and Ana Beatriz and Tarik Ruiz Medina, of the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), Nanoplastics has created a single-layer biodegradable film to boost food safety and extend the shelf life of packaged fresh food.

The runner-up was RES-KIT, a diagnostic kit for multi-resistant bacteria for veterinary use, which facilitates quick, personalised treatment of bovine mastitis.

The Ovatec project, which proposes starting up a company to produce in vitro bovine embryos, won third prize.

The projects were assessed by a panel of judges featuring experts from the sector: Isabel Amat, head of business development at Reig Jofre and deputy to the president of CataloniaBio; Oriol Sans, director of Financing at ACCIÓ; Josep Castells, CEO of Inkemia IUCT group; and Sara Secall, director of investment at Inveready and member of the CataloniaBio board of directors.

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Photo: Awards ceremony, Nanoplastics  - © Parc de Recerca de la UAB