Fifty or so companies, research centres, and university departments have already signed up for Food and Nutrition Technology Dating, an event organized by AREA Science Park to encourage the exchange of technology and the launch of joint projects and collaborations in the food and nutrition sectors both within the private sector and between companies and potential scientific partners.

The event is scheduled for 28 September at the Savoia Excelsior Hotel as part of the first Trieste Next European Innovation and Research Forum promoted by the Municipality of Trieste, the University of Trieste, and Nordesteuropa Editore, with a contribution from the CRTrieste Foundation and the collaboration of research and advanced training institutions from the Trieste district (28/29/30 September, Trieste).

Food and Nutrition Technology Dating also enjoys the collaboration of Veneto Innovazione, the Udine Chamber of Commerce, and Italian and foreign partners from the Enterprise Europe Network, especially from Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany, and Turkey. In light of the growing interest in Trieste Next on the part of enterprises and research institutions from these countries working in the biotech and food sectors - including applications in the environment, health, and security sectors - the registration period has been extended until 7 September. Technology dating involves one-on-one meetings lasting about 20 minutes each.

Additionally, an operational workshop organized in collaboration with ARPE will take place before the morning session dedicated to bilateral meetings. This workshop will present the FP7 Call - KBBE 2013 European funding application, an opportunity to learn about measures to support research and development in the food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology sectors. The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) Institute for Health and Consumer Protection will present its activities dedicated to nutrition and health as well as the JRC's other activities and technologies in the food sector.

In order to take part in the Technology Dating event, interested parties must register at www.b2match.eu/next2012/ and indicate the type of collaboration they are seeking. The event will be held in English and participation is free. For additional information contact: Francesca Marchi - Contact point Enterprise Europe Network, telephone (+39) 040 3755119, e-mail: francesca.marchi@area.trieste.it.

Trieste Next will also deal with traditions and innovations in the food sector, and discuss food safety, OGM use, flavour, health implications, and eating disorders. Internationally-renowned speakers, scholars, and opinion leaders will debate the key themes for the present and especially the future, and talk about the food that we eat everyday in an accessible manner for a broad audience. The three-day event will highlight the excellence of scientific institutions and private companies in Friuli Venezia Giulia and northeast Italy. www.triestenext.it

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