European Centre for Living Technology opens in Venice

Brussels, 06 Dec 2004

The European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT) opened at the University of Venice in Italy on 3 December. The centre will primarily foster the research, training and outreach of the EU funded PACE (Programmable Artificial Cell Evolution) project to begin with, but will continue to serve as a research and visitor centre after PACE.

'Living technology' lies at the crossroads between information technology, nanotechnology and biotechnology. The centre is charged with piloting research into this new field, while raising its public profile.

'When present machine-like technology becomes complicated, it is difficult to design, prone to malfunction, and usable only in carefully circumscribed settings. Yet everyday living systems are very complicated but still automatically repair themselves, adapt and self-organise, and cope with unexpected challenges. Applications of living technology will enjoy these same benefits,' says the ECLT board of directors.

'The study of complex natural systems, the evolution of life, and artificial living systems, has now reached the point that the principles of living organisation can be explored with a unified multi-disciplinary combination of theory, simulation and experiment at the ECLT. The Centre's vision for living technology is very broad, including realisations on a spectrum of platforms, from molecules to machines to human organisations,' they add.

For further information, please visit:
http:///www.vegapark.ve.it

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