Join the BioNet Discussion Forums

On the basis of the results achieved during the BioNet Event, as well as of the input the organisers received from a variety of contexts, the post-event discussion was organised around five general topics. For each argument we created an Internet discussion forum, which is expected to elaborate a consensus document on what are the 'grand challenges' that biomechanics research should face in that specific context. In addition, each forum may achieve, depending on the level of participation and commitment, other objectives:

1. Informal networking. By this we mean activities with the Working Group. All Group members should be able to join in to pursue whatever goals are reasonable, both in terms of the group and the individual members. These could involve for example, long-term strategic actions or simple partner searches.
2. Formal networking. This includes setting up formal Networks of Excellence (NoE) with the financial support of the European Commission.
3. Single projects. These are research projects supported by the European Commission of the same type and scale as those in the Fifth European Framework Program for research and development.
4. Integrated projects. These are much larger projects than those currently supported by the European Commission.

The first forum will deal with the general issues of research on human mobility. All aspects will be covered, including movement analysis, computer-based musculo-skeletal modelling, and imaging and image analysis related activities. http://list.cineca.it/archives/bionet_mobility.html

The second forum will deal with all aspects related to the creation of common infrastructures for Biomechanics research. In particular we shall continue to discuss in this forum all issues related to the sharing of research results by means of Internet-based repositories, the creation of virtual communities, and the opportunity to create a Virtual Research Institution. http://list.cineca.it/archives/bionet_vrlab.html

The third forum will host all discussions related with biomechanics in ergonomy and safety. A specific discussion thread will be the opportunity and possibility of considering cognitive aspects in these research activities. Another aspect that will be discussed is, if and how biomechanics can play a key role in industrially relevant topics such as car safety. http://list.cineca.it/archives/bionet_safety.html

The other two forums were not specifically addressed during the BioNet event with a dedicated workgroup. However, we received many indications and recommendations on the need of such a forum for all those colleagues that work in the areas of biomechanics of medical devices and biomechanics of biomaterials and tissues analogues. http://list.cineca.it/archives/bionet_devices.html http://list.cineca.it/archives/bionet_materials.html

If you did not attend the BioNet event, please go to the indicated web page and follow the instructions in order to be subscribed to the forum of your interest. If you only want to occasionally poll the discussion threads, the web pages provide a threaded view of the archives and also some search facilities.

Marco Viceconti
On behalf of the bioNet Consortium
www.mk.dmu.ac.uk/bionet/