Kickoff Meeting of BioNatural Project Held Successfully at Universidade Lusófona

From November 8th to 10th, 2023, the Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon hosted the highly anticipated kickoff meeting for the BioNatural project. This meeting marked the commencement of an ambitious venture aiming to revolutionize the field of natural product chemistry.

The BioNatural project, formally known as The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Natural products chemistry for Bioactives Application, is a collaborative effort between four prestigious universities spanning across Europe. These institutions include Lusófona University - COFAC (ULusófona, PT), Università degli Studi di Siena (UNISI, IT), Universitat Ramon Llull (RLU, ES), and Namur University (NU, BE).

Designed as a 2-year international program, BioNatural will offer a comprehensive curriculum entirely taught in English. It will lead to a multiple master’s degree diploma, providing students with invaluable expertise in natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and bioengineering sciences.

The project aims to explore the vast potential of natural products as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds, with applications ranging from pharmaceutics to smart materials. To facilitate a well-rounded learning experience, students will undergo a three-location study program at the consortium universities, fostering international mobility and exposure to diverse perspectives.

The modular rotation structure will guide students through various aspects of natural product chemistry and related fields. From computational and nanotechnology studies at Università degli Studi di Siena to bioengineering studies in Barcelona or Namur University, students will have the opportunity to tailor their education according to their interests.

For the final master's dissertation, students can choose to work with institutions within the consortium or with associate partner institutions, thereby providing flexibility and fostering collaboration across borders.

With the support of 28 associated partners, including academic institutions and SMEs from around the globe, BioNatural  aims to nurture a new generation of researchers equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. Whether pursuing further academic endeavors, embarking on international careers, or venturing into entrepreneurship, graduates of BioNatural will be primed to make significant contributions to the field.

As the kickoff meeting concluded successfully, the BioNatural project sets sail on a journey of innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence, poised to shape the future of natural product chemistry for years to come.