Designae

DESIGNAE WORKING GROUPS

Each WG pursues specific goals that contribute to the overarching objectives of the COST Action. Together, their contributions intertwine to support the development and application of biodesign solutions for regenerative futures.

WG1

BIODESIGN OBSERVATORY

Leader
Helen Charoupia

Co-Leader
Suzana Gonzaga

Co-Leader
Cristiano Pedroso-Roussado

 

APPLY TO WG1
Objectives

Working Group (WG) 1 forms the foundation of this COST Action, aiming to establish a comprehensive knowledge base and develop a common biodesign terminology across diverse disciplines. Comprising mainly biologists, ecologists, taxonomists, and designers, this WG explores sustainable sourcing for anthropogenic design while addressing biodiversity preservation and regeneration challenges. It collects best practices, success stories, and challenges from biodesign projects and solutions across various fields, creating a shared understanding that will inform and guide the subsequent WGs, integrating multidisciplinary experiences with emphasis on Life Sciences and Design.

TASKS
  • Establish a common (biodesign) terminology: Interdisciplinary sessions with collaborators, academia and industry to develop a common terminology and taxonomy of biodesign.
  • Observatory of nature: identify pressures in nature, sustainable sources, portfolio of materials and structures, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning.
  • Collect biodesign solutions, best practices and challenges: Identify biodesign solutions amongst the DESIGNAEs partners and worldwide and undertake case studies to identify challenges faced in creating and diffusing interdisciplinary collaboration in this field.
  • Create repository of biodesign solutions: Categorise the solutions at different scales and sectors, develop a comprehensive repository of biodesign solutions.

WG2

EXPLORE (BIO)MATERIALS AND (BIO)FABRICATION TECHNIQUES 
FOR BIODESIGN

Leader
Eliza Biala


Co-Leader
Victoria Outram

Co-Leader
Rúben Silva

 

APPLY TO WG2
Objectives

WG2 includes specialists from nanotechnology, biochemistry, and bio-fabrication engineering for the application of biogenic materials, spanning from nano- to macro-scales. It aims to share current methodologies for the fabrication of materials, share knowledge on how to reproduce and scale biological material solutions, identify bottlenecks in current fabrication techniques and explore integration of design principles adopted from current engineering processes. Additionally, WG2 will fuel guidelines for informing legal frameworks (WG5) for the use of biogenic materials and bioinspired design from a material science perspective.

TASKS
  • Scaling and translating bio-inspired structures and processes: Cross-disciplinary collaboration to identify techniques for learning from natural production mechanisms to incorporate in modern engineering processes.
  • Assess and improve the sustainability of biogenic materials: Develop eco-friendly chemical extraction and processing methods for biogenic materials that improve reusability, degradability, and scalability, while reducing environmental impact and promoting circular economy principles in bio-fabrication.
  • Scientific and legal guidelines for biodesign implementation: Draft potential guidelines that address the integration of bioinspired structures and biogenic materials into industrial applications.

WG3

COMPUTATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES 
FOR BIODESIGN

Leader
Renata Troian



Co-Leader
Branimir Pavlic

Co-Leader
Ivana Atanasovska

APPLY TO WG3
Objectives

WG3 focuses on exploring the application of Computational Technologies to develop biodesign solutions, involving as needed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Aided Design. This WG will explore how natural systems can assist in the development of AI-based solution finding and decision making (e.g. slime molds, movement patterns of diatoms and other protists, etc) and investigate how scaling capabilities can be enhanced with focus on biological structures and nature based solutions, enhancing predictive models.

TASKS
  • Methods and application areas in computation: Map existing application areas and identify potential future connection points with other relevant fields.
  • Computational technologies for biodesign: Test available Computational Technologies’ potential to translate biological structures into design and develop case studies in biodesign for regeneration and restoration.
  • AI integration in computation for biodesign: Explore potential new applications of AI to enhance biodesign processes, for a more effective integration in workflows.
  • Challenges and Limitations: Identify and analyse current limitations and challenges in applying computational technologies to biodesign. Explore potential solutions and workarounds for identified challenges, and develop recommendations for overcoming these limitations in future research and applications.

WG4

Approaches to Design Regenerative solutions

Leader
Jelena Brajkovic

Co-Leader
Derya Irkdas Dogu

Co-Leader
Adrien Rigobello

APPLY TO WG4
Objectives

WG4 synthesises insights from WG1-3 to develop an interdisciplinary approach for nature-centred biodesign solutions. It focuses on refining methods for collaboration, using biological systems, technologies, and design principles to create regenerative, sustainable biodesign solutions. WG4 aims to bridge theory and practice by engaging with industries like architecture, healthcare, and frontier technology applications, fostering innovation. It will address existing challenges and future possibilities 
to drive transformative biodesign solutions.

TASKS
  • Foster interdisciplinary practice, methods and approaches: Test, validate and/or improve interdisciplinary practices, methods and approaches identified in literature and in biodesign projects (WG1).
  • Stakeholder engagement and challenge identification: Identify potential industry, NGO partnerships across ITCs and non-ITCs; conduct needs assessment to identify real- world challenges suitable for biodesign innovation; list challenges and opportunities for applications.
  • Biodesign development and prototyping: Develop and prototype biodesign solutions for regeneration while considering inputs from WG1-3.
  • Frontier exploration and Generative AI in biodesign: Explore and push the boundaries of biodesign to address emerging challenges and opportunities in new and frontier areas, generate.

WG5

Roadmap, Ethics, Regulations, and implications for Research and Education

Leader
Prateek Shankar

Co-Leader
Gemma Andreone



Co-Leader
Pascale Ricard

APPLY TO WG5
Objectives

WG5 aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap to assess technical, economic and environmental feasibility and scalability of biodesign practices and solutions more effectively. It reflects on the transformative potential of biotechnological advancements for various aspects of life and society particularly (bio)ethical, legal/regulatory issues, and social implications of these advancements. In parallel, it also reflects on the DESIGNAE implications for the future of research and education landscape for a regenerative Europe. Industry representatives, economists, environmental scientists, futurists, social scientists and legal experts are part of this WG.´

TASKS
  • Feasibility and scalability assessment: Validate the performance, feasibility and scalability of biodesign prototypes developed in WG4; Identify gaps and opportunities for change in current supply chains, rethinking current practices to infuse/diffuse biodesign solutions for regeneration
  • (Bio) Ethical implications and Regulations in biodesign: Develop recommendations for regulatory frameworks that can support ethical innovation in biodesign
  • DESIGNAE implications for research and education: Explore the implications of DESIGNAE Action across ITCs and non-ITCs

WG6

Dissemination, Communication 
and Training

Leader
Antonella Motta



Co-Leader
Yuejiao Yang

APPLY TO WG6
Objectives

WG6 plays a crucial role in ensuring that the goals and outcomes of DESIGNAE reach and influence a wide audience (i.e. scientific community, industry, policymakers, and the general public), fostering participation of wider stakeholder groups, including YRIs and non-academic partners. WG6 is responsible
for the dissemination, communication and exploitation strategies of DESIGNAE (3.2.2), in close collaboration with the Science Communication Coordinator, to ensure efforts are complementary. Specifically WG6 assists coordinating and disseminating research and education activities, namely Training Schools, Workshops, Webinars/Seminars, and laboratory exchanges/STSMs. Adhering to FAIR principles and open access policies, WG6 maximizes the Action’s impact and a

TASKS
  • Development and maintenance of communication tools: Create and maintain the DESIGNAE Website, media channels, WG portal; and develop a visual identity of the Action.
  • Coordination of dissemination activities: Coordinate participation in ITC conferences, dissemination conferences, workshops and events with industry and other stakeholders; facilitate media partnerships for wider reach.
  • Communication support for Training Schools, STSMs and other Action activities: Disseminate open calls for Training Schools, STSMs, and other grant-based activities across the network; share outcomes and success stories from these initiatives via communication channels to foster engagement and awareness.
  • Impact assessment and continuous improvement: Define and apply metrics and indicators to assess the impact of dissemination, communication, training, and outreach activities. Conduction of regular reviews to inform strategic improvements.
  • Stakeholders engagement and outreach: Promote participation in Action’s events through open calls and targeted communication; identify and engage external and internal stakeholders, support partnerships between academia, industry, civil society to strengthen visibility and impact.

HOW TO APPLY

Objectives
  1. Read the Action Description MoU
  2. Inform the Main Proposer/Chair of your interest (email)
  3. Apply to join your Working Groups of interest
APPLY HERE

Please note, Management Committee nominations are carried out through the COST National Coordinators

Contact

Any general queries about DESIGNAE should be directed to:

COST-DESIGNAE-chair@ua.pt

Queries about WGs should be directed to the WG leader:

DESIGNAE Lead Team

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Funded by the EU

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

For more information visit the COST website > www.cost.eu

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