Information

Catalogue of projects of the Fund for
International Cooperation in Science
and Technology
Foreword
T
his illustrated catalogue bears witness to an event of enormous importance for the economical, scientific and technological
progress of Mexico: international cooperation in terms of scientific research and technological development with the
European Union, one of the most prosperous regions in the world.
It is a fact that scientific research and technological development are essential activities for any country on the planet,
as they give rise to progress and lead to greater economic and social well-being. Mexico has scientists and specialists in
technology at the highest level, who have excellent qualifications and carry out projects which are both strategic and
valuable for countries that are on the cutting edge of research, innovation and development. Therefore, the European Union
and Mexico have agreed to establish a framework for cooperation in the areas of Science and Technology on the basis of
mutual interest and benefit.
The FONCICYT aims to encourage a strengthening of the scientific and technological capabilities of Mexico by bringing
about improvements in competitiveness, growth and employment. In this way, it shall contribute to the solution of socioeconomic and environmental problems.
Hence, the FONCICYT encourages collaboration between both regions and is proof of the great interest that exists within
the scientific and business communities of Mexico to participate in joint projects with member countries of the European
Union.
In this catalogue, you will be able to find information on the twenty-four projects and ten research networks that are
financed by the European Union and Mexico. To do so, each contributed fifty percent of a budget which stands at twenty
million euros. As you will appreciate, these projects entail an important benefit to society, and allow Mexico to consolidate
its progress towards scientific and technological developments that are both great and prosperous.
Marie Anne Coninsx
Ambassador and Head of the European Union
Delegation to Mexico
Juan Carlos Romero Hicks
Director General of the National Council for
Science and Technology in Mexico (CONACYT)
5 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
The Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology (FONCICYT) was created as a result of this bilateral
relationship, which has grown stronger over the past decade. This new fund has been exceptionally successful at identifying
projects and mobilising the Mexican and European scientific communities through co-financing.
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
6 Table of Contents
What is the FONCICYT?................................................................ 8 Scientific Community Interest in the Programme .................... 10
7 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Index of Networks and Projects.................................................. 14
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Biotechnology
Non-nuclear Energy
Biomedical and Health Research
Economic and Social Development Research
Electronics, Materials and Metrology Research
Environmental and Climate Research; Including
Earth Observation
Information Society Technologies
Industrial and Manufacturing Technologies
What is the FONCICYT?
I
t is the Fund for International Cooperation in Science
and Technology, which was established by Mexico and
the European Union in 2007 as part of the International
Cooperation Programme between both parties for the
Encouragement of Scientific and Technological Research.
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
8 FONCICYT Programme Budget
This programme is upheld in the Financing Convention
between the European Community and the National Council
for Science and Technology in Mexico, which stipulates that
each party must contribute €10M (€20M in total), and
that the geographical sphere of intervention must include all
Mexican territory and all European Union member countries.
The programme is implemented through the FONCICYT, in
order to finance joint research networks and projects carried
out within both regions.
The objective of the FONCICYT is to strengthen the
scientific and technological capabilities of Mexico, in order
to contribute to the solution of environmental and socioeconomic problems. In fact, it is estimated that this fund has
created around 800 direct jobs. It also seeks to encourage
cooperation within the aforementioned categories between
Mexico and the Member States of the European Union, in
order to focus on local and regional development.
Distribution of the 20 Million Euro Budget
Distribution of the 15.8 Million Euros Corresponding
to Project Co-financing
B
Background
ilateral relations between the EU and Mexico are
governed by the Economic Partnership, Political
Coordination and Cooperation Agreement which
came into effect in October 2000. Scientific and technological
developments have clearly been a priority in the timetable
for cooperation between the European Commission and the
Mexican government.
Launch of the Fund for International Cooperation in Science and
Technology (FONCICYT). 11th February 2008.
Both parties share the wish to reinforce cooperation in
areas of common interest and consider that science and
technology are hugely important for social and economic
development. Therefore, they signed a sectoral agreement
in 2004 based on the principles of mutual benefit and
reciprocity of access to relevant programmes and activities
to meet the established objectives.
•
•
•
Projects for creating and strengthening research networks.
Joint research projects between scientists and experts from Mexico and EU
member countries, applicable to
environmental, social and economic sectors, preferably focussed on local
and regional development.
Strategic coordination, partnership,
public image and information activities.
Marie Anne Coninsx,
Ambassador and Head
of the European Union
Delegation to Mexico,.
Leonardo Ríos Guerrero,
National Director of the
FONCICYT.
Results
1. Financing of joint research projects in the
sectors contemplated in the EU-Mexico cooperation
agreement on science and technology (see research
sector chart on page 11).
2. Creation and strengthening of research
networks and consortia between Mexicans and
Europeans.
3. Training of human resources linked to
Mexico’s system of science, technology and
innovation.
4. Creation of partnership mechanisms between
Universities, Development, Technology and
Innovation Research (IDTI) centres, companies,
NGOs, government departments and local
government both in Mexico and in EU
Member States.
T
he direct beneficiary of the Cooperation Programme is
the CONACYT, which is responsible for administration
of the FONCICYT and ultimately responsible to
the European Commission for the application of funds
contributed by this body to the FONCICYT trust. The
CONACYT must ensure at all times that these funds are
used pursuant to the Financing Agreement.
The indirect beneficiaries of the Programme are stakeholders
in the science and technology sector of Mexico and those
EU member countries which are directly involved in public
and private research projects. Other indirect beneficiaries
are public and private higher education institutions, local
government and the productive sector.
9 The final beneficiaries of the Programme are the societies
of both Mexico and EU member countries, as these cofinanced projects will increase the capability and applicability
of scientific and technological research in the two regions,
thus allowing improvements to the standard of living and
well-being of their populations.
In addition to the above, the implementation of the FONCICYT
also aims to contribute to improving competitiveness,
growth and employment in the medium term. Moreover, it
creates the conditions for improving Mexican participation
in the research, technological development and innovation
programmes of the European Research Area, especially that
of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and
Technological Development (FP7), which focuses on local
and regional development.
Representatives of CONACYT and the European Delegation to Mexico
during a FONCICYT Meeting, on 8th December 2009.
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
The main activities of the FONCICYT:
Beneficiaries of the EU-Mexico
International Cooperation Programme
for the Encouragement of Scientific and
Technological Research
Scientific Community Interest in the Programme
T
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
10 he CONACYT published the Expressions of Interest
Survey (EDIS) in 2008 for two reasons: to get to
know the potential for collaboration between Mexico
and the European Union, and to stimulate the formation of
consortia for the FONCICYT request for proposals launched
afterwards. To do so, interested parties were also requested
to send a research proposal that included subject areas,
possible partners, objectives, expected results and project
costs.
The survey found widespread acceptance within the
scientific and industrial communities. It received nearly 900
responses, of which 317 had all the necessary elements for
completion of the request for proposals.
CONACYT analysed the proposals presented with the help
of independent experts. The results showed the ample
interest and capacity for collaboration in the scientific and
technological communities of Mexico and Europe for the
creation of joint IDTI proposals.
I
They also set the standard for establishing the nature of
the request for proposals to be launched afterwards, taking
into account the needs of the scientific and technological
communities.
2008 Request for IDTI Network and Project Proposals
t was launched in 2008 and was open for three months. The broad geographical participation and extensive number
Proposals had to be made via an electronic system in of participants revealed the large existing demand and merits
the 12 subject areas established by the science and further financial commitment.
technology cooperation agreement.
It is possible, although complex, to design and implement
- At least 2 Mexican bodies (1 of which is coordinator) + 2 a common set of standards that govern and administrate
European bodies had to participate per project. Third party funds from different authorities.
countries (not forming part of Mexico or the EU) were
welcome.
- The Evaluation Criteria were: scientific excellence +
administrative quality + impact and dissemination of the
results.
- The planned financing would cover 70% of the total
costs.
- The participants were 218 consortia, 23 EU Member
States + 31 Mexican States and 780 European and Mexican
bodies (see results in the charts on the following page).
- The estimated budget for the 218 proposals presented
stood at 143 million euros.
The FONCICYT request for proposals was an excellent tool
for discovering and mobilising this auspicious potential for
technological cooperation in the sphere of Science and
Technology.
Results from the 2008 Request for Proposals
Research Sectors
10 networks and 24
projects were chosen.
These cover 9 of the 12
sectors established in the
Science and Technology
Cooperation Agreement.
The following chart lists
which sectors these are:
11 Each project and
network consists of at
least two Mexican and
two EU bodies, which
include research centres,
universities and SMEs
from both regions.
141 bodies are involved
in projects and 67 in
networks. 15% of the
participating bodies are
SMEs.
Geographical Distribution
In Mexico, there were
participating networks
and projects from 20
states (out of 32), whilst
12 (out of 27) participated from the European
Union.
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Participants
Networks and
Projects
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
14 Index of Networks and Projects
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Biotechnology
Mutualisms with bees in tropical landscapes:
risks and rescue for biodiversity and crop
production.......................................................................... 16
Saccharification technology for the production of
high added value products from water lilies and
their potential use in the production of biofuels........ 19
Strategies to reduce postharvest losses and
maintain the quality of mexican fruit exported to
Europe................................................................................. 17
Preparation of active packaging with antioxidant
and antimicrobial activity based on astaxanthin and
chitosan.............................................................................. 20
Research, technological development and innovation
network for the strengthening of Bivalve Mollusc
Cultivation ......................................................................... 18
Bioprospecting for microorganisms from Industrial wastes
and biotechnological application........................................... 21
Nanofarmalab: a DNA Chip used for predicting the
response to pharmacological treatments..................... 22
Non-nuclear energy
Electronics, materials and metrology research
Research, development and implementation
of solar cooling systems for freezing and air
conditioning...................................................................... 23
Oxides for Spintronics....................................................... 36
Underwater geothermal resources in the North
of the Gulf of California.................................................... 25
Sliding mode control and monitoring
for process automation in energy
production.......................................................................... 26
Biomedicine and health research
Development of an antivenom treatment
for snake bite poisoning with European
coverage............................................................................. 27
A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Study of Bone
marrow-derived dendritic cells: basic and clinical
aspects................................................................................ 28
Development of transgenic mosquitoes resistant to
malaria and dengue transmission.................................. 29
Intracellular calcium in the regulation of the circadian
clock in mammals: implications for mental health
.............................................................................................. 30
Comprehensive study of the genome, proteome
and metabolome in abortions and live Births of
Children with aneuploidy: search for non-Invasive
biomarkers.......................................................................... 31
Economic and social development research
Conservation, development, social use and
protection of traditional mexican knowledge and
resources............................................................................ 32
Socio-demographic change and active ageing:
scientific contribution to preventative public
policies................................................................................ 33
Risk and vulnerability network: social strategies for
prevention and adaptation.............................................. 34
Scientific Network for Localised Agrifood System
(REDSIAL)......................................................................... 35
Creation of a new Mex-Eu network of excellence in
materials with industrial applications............................ 38
Environmental and climate research;
including earth observation
Community conservation (CONSERVCOM):
the role of local participation in biodiversity
conservation. case studies from the southeast of
Mexico................................................................................. 39
Field and instrumental observations, and experimental
surveys applied to volcanic disaster prevention:
development of instruments and new methods for
studying volcanic activity............................................... 40
15 Theoretical chemistry network for environment and health..... 41
Bioprocesses and control for water treatment (BITA)............... 42
Research network for sustainable management of land
ecosystems......................................................................... 43
Comprehensive treatment of complex wastewater
products from the oil industry......................................... 44
Information society technologies
Europe-Mexico consortium for the development
of quantum information and communication
technologies....................................................................... 45
Dynamic probabilistic graphical models and their
applications........................................................................ 46
Image analysis for controlling autonomous
robots................................................................................. 47
Industrial and manufacturing technologies
Processing, properties and characteristics of steels for
electrical uses.................................................................... 48
Research, development and implementation of a prototype
product line of centrifugal split case pumps for clear liquids
handling...................................................................................... 49
* The amounts for the following projects are presented in Mexican pesos and euros. Currency conversions were calculated using the oficial rate of exchange published in
request for proposals FONCICYT-C 002-2008-1 (EUR 1= 16.0346 from the European Central Bank, 29th May 2008).
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Development of catalytic materials for the
production of ultraclean fuels.................................... 24
Basic research on advanced innovative nanomaterials:
applications for the solution to neurological
disorders............................................................................. 37
Mutualisms with bees in tropical
landscapes: risks and rescue for biodiversity
and crop production
T
he objective of this project is to
contribute to the conservation of
biodiversity through the generation
of knowledge about the links between
land use in tropical landscapes and the
biodiversity of bees, in addition to its impact
on agricultural production in the southern
states of Chiapas and Yucatán. A scientific
cooperation network between Mexican
and European institutions, focussed on
the problem of loss of pollinators, has
been created in order to reach this aim in
16 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: a sustainable, comprehensive and effective
way. This project involves both researchers
and technicians, as well as beekeepers
and farmers. Additionally, recent scientific
theories are being tested, such as the
production of diploid males or the spread
of pathogens, which may serve as risk
indicators for endangered species. This
will generate mechanisms to add value to
biodiversity, thus contributing to a reduction
in poverty through sustainable agricultural
production.
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chiapas, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Miel Maya Honing, Belgium.
• Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom.
• Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Universidad de Murcia, Spain.
• Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: MX$17.424.586,00 /€1.086.686,67
MX$12.023.697,00 /€749.859,49
22 months
34
Agriculture,
forestry and
Rémy Vandame, PhD
fisheries
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
Tel. +52 (967) 674 9000
remy@ecosur.mx; rvandame@ecosur.mx
Strategies to reduce postharvest
losses and maintain the quality of
mexican fruit exported to Europe
strategies and apply appropriate techniques
and technologies, such as systems for
quality evaluation and the manual for
improving handling systems. This project
has established effective collaboration
between industry and researchers in
Mexico and in Europe. We will therefore
be working directly with certain Mexican
export companies, which will ensure the
direct transfer of technology to these and
similar companies of the sector.
Project Coordinator: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, México.
17 Partners Countries:
Partners: • Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA),
Barcelona, Spain.
• Fairtrade South America, Michoacán, Mexico.
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Belgium
• Wageningen University Research - Agrotechnology &
Foodinnovations, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
• Writtle College, Essex, United Kingdom.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: MX$9.241.378,00/€576.339,79
MX$6.096.400,00/€380.202,81
22 months
80
Elhadi Yahia Kazuz, PhD
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
yahia@uaq.mx
Agriculture,
forestry and
fisheries
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
S
everal problems affect the export
of Mexican fruit to Europe during
the transport phase, affecting its
quality when it reaches that market. Thus,
the objectives of this project are to identify
points where problems arise within the
export chain from Mexico to Europe, in order
to make the necessary recommendations,
and to develop a good practice manual for
the appropriate handling of this fruit. In
addition, we intend to leverage research
Research, technological development and
innovation network for the strengthening of
bivalve mollusc cultivation
B
ivalve molluscs play a very important
role in filtering and accumulating
pollution present in the areas where
they develop. The best known are oysters,
clams, razor clams, mussels, shipworms,
cockles, etc. As they are usually eaten
raw or lightly cooked, their harvest must
be governed by strict sanitary controls.
This is the objective of the network,
which seeks to develop mechanisms for
integration between research institutions
and the productive sector to strengthen
18 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: the cultivation of bivalve molluscs in the
medium and long term. The network is
strengthened by interinstitutional work
through the training, standardisation of
techniques and entry of more researchers
in all areas of knowledge on the subject
of bivalve molluscs. Moreover, joint
dissemination and publication will provide
greater protection and a good international
image for the institutions who participate
in this network.
Instituto de Acuacultura del Estado de Sonora, O. P. D. México.
Partners Countries:
Partners:
• Universidad de Sonora, México.
• Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste,
Baja California sur, México.
• Centro de Investigaciones en Alimentación y
Desarrollo, A. C. Sonora, México.
• Institut Français de Recherche pour l‘Exploitation de la Mer, IFREMER, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
• Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries,
IRTA, Barcelona, Spain.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: MX$2.633.709,00/€164.251,62
Agriculture,
MX$1.603.127,00/€99.979,23
forestry
and
12 months
fisheries
25
María de Lourdes Juárez Romero, Oceanographer
Instituto de Acuacultura del Estado de Sonora O.P.D.
Tel. +52 (662) 2171937 mljuarez@iaes.gob.mx
Saccharification technology for the
production of High added value products
from water lilies and their potential use in
the production of biofuels
W
ater lilies are an environmental
problem, as their excessive
growth leads to the pollution
of bodies of water. In response, this
project seeks to develop a technology for
comprehensive utilization of this plant,
which has been inadequately handled so far.
The objective also includes the generation
of high added value products and raw
materials for biofuel production, which
makes the cost of water hyacinth removal
sustainable. It is obligatory for the plant to
be withdrawn, since its growth is harmful
for the life of the water body itself. Thus,
the productive sector will benefit from a
technology operating in a comprehensive
manner to take advantage of a contaminant
material commonly present in water
bodies.
19 Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners:
Total Cost:
FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: • Universidad Politécnica de Pachuca, Mexico.
• Tecnología Especializada en el Medio Ambiente, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Madrid, Spain. • Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Marseilles, France.
MX$8.462.314,00/€527.753,36
MX$5.923.619,00/€369.427,30
21 months
7
Ernesto Favela Torres, PhD
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Tel. +52 (55) 58046555
favela@xanum.uam.mx
Biotechnology
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: Preparation of active packaging with
antioxidant and antimicrobial activity
based on astaxanthin and chitosan
T
he main aim of this project is
to develop a methodology that
permits the incorporation of
compounds obtained from shrimp waste for
the development of active packaging with
antimicrobial and antioxidant properties,
which will prolong the useful life of packaged
food products. Chitosan (solid phase)
and astaxanthin (lipid phase) are two
main bioactive compounds extracted from
fermented shrimp waste. Both compounds
will be incorporated into plastic matrices of
20 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA) for
the preparation of active packaging. The
antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities
of the packaging materials developed will
be verified, in order to establish a scaledup extraction process. A study of release
kinetics and legal aspects will be performed
concurrently. Finally, this project will lead
to the establishment of an international
science and technology network for the
exchange of knowledge and research on
the subject.
Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners:
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Bioderpac, Sonora, Mexico.
• Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Sonora, Mexico.
• Fundación Gaiker, Biscay, Spain.
• Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
MX$6.991.696,00/€436.038,07
MX$4.195.018,00/€261.622,87
23 months
104
Jaime López Cervantes, PhD
Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora
Tel. +52 (644) 4100900 jlopezc@itson.mx
Biotechnology
Bioprospecting for microorganisms from
industrial wastes and biotechnological
application
This tool will allow an efficient and
economical industrial process to characterise
and apply selected microorganisms or
catabolic genes to remove Cr(VI) and
other metals. If this innovative technology
demonstrates high efficiency at a small
and large scale, will be submitted to patent
processes. In addition, the results will be
systematically disseminated at national
academic conferences, international events
and in international scientific journals.
Project Coordinator: Universidad de Guanajuato, México.
21 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Química Central de México, S. A. de C.V., Guanajuato, Mexico.
• Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
• Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa,
Mexico City, Mexico.
• Université de Pau y des Pays de l’Adour,
(Equipe Environnement et Microbiologie del Institut Pluridisciplinaire
de Recherche Environnement et Matériaux), Pau, France.
MX$10.949.938,00/€682.894,37
MX$7.664.956,00/€478.026,02
21 months
19
J. Félix Gutiérrez Corona, PhD
Universidad de Guanajuato
Tel. +52 (473) 7320006
felixg@quijote.ugto.mx
Biotechnology
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
B
iodiversity is a source of genetic
and biochemical resources with
great potential for scientific and
technological development worldwide.
To explore, identify, select and isolate
its useful components, there is a process
called bioprospecting, through which
microorganisms are located that serve
various branches of industry. This project
aims to make use of bioprospecting
for biotreatment of industrial wastes
contaminated with hexavalent chromium.
Nanofarmalab: a DNA chip used for
predicting the response to
pharmacological treatments
W
hen a certain drug and dosage
is administered to an individual
to combat a disease, the
person’s metabolism generates different
responses to the drug, including adverse
reactions. These reactions are caused by
polymorphisms or mutations in genes
related to the individual’s metabolism,
neurotransmission, signal transductions
generated by membrane receptors, phase II
enzymes and the transportation of solutes.
A DNA chip that identifies the 90 most
common polymorphisms in the genomes
of European individuals has been designed,
and has prevented adverse reactions in
breast and bladder cancer treatments, as
well as in inflammation. The objective of this
22 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: project is to use this DNA chip to identify
the polymorphisms characteristic of the
Mexican population, carry out a preliminary
clinical validation of the tool and begin to
incorporate them into clinical practice in
Mexico. With this technology in Molecular
Biology and Genome Sciences, we will be
able to contribute to the quality of life of
patients by avoiding the use of impreciselyprescribed drugs and dosages. In addition,
we will save patients money by reducing
consultations and the use of ineffective
drug regimens. Recommendations will be
provided to physicians about drug selection
based on the genomic profile of each
patient, allowing better use of hospital and
physician resources.
Vitagénesis, S.A. de C.V. Nuevo León, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: • Innopsys, Toulouse, France.
• Laboratorios Silanes, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Progenika Biopharma, Bilbao, Spain.
MX$18.773.060,00/€1.170.784,43
MX$13.141.142,00/€819.549,10
21 months
16
Hugo Alberto Barrera Saldaña, PhD
Vitagénesis, S.A. de C.V.
Tel. +52 (81) 83294174
habarrera@gmail.com;
hbarrera@fm.uanl.mx
Biotechnology
Research, development and
implementation of solar cooling systems
for freezing and air conditioning
The first is continuous, working with an
ammonia/lithium nitrate mixture, and
will be coupled to a solar heating system
consisting of 22 square meters of evacuated
tubes. The second is intermittent, working
with an ammonia/barium chloride mixture,
and will be coupled to a flat collector bank,
which will be enhanced by a CPC collector
bank with a total area of 20 square meters.
At the end of the project, we expect to have
an optimized development of two solar
refrigeration and air-conditioning systems,
which will have appropriate control and
may be monitored remotely.
Project Coordinator: Centro de Investigación en Energía, UNAM, Morelos, México.
23 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• EURAC, Bolzano, Italy.
• CARTIF, Valladolid, Spain.
• Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexico.
MX$8.620.615,00/€537.625,82
MX$6.034.430,00/€376.338,04
22 months
23
Roberto Best y Brown, PhD
Centro de Investigación en Energía
Tel. +52 (777) 3620098
rbb@cie.unam.mx
Non-nuclear energy
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
hermal solar energy use contributes
to the reduction of CO2 emissions
and those of other gases harmful to
the atmosphere. It is therefore considered
respectful of the environment as well as
being renewable, inexhaustible, and clean.
This project is working on the development
of two air-cooled refrigeration and/
or air-conditioning systems to operate
precisely with medium-temperature solar
thermal energy. To do so, it is developing
comprehensive mathematical models of
these systems and their main components,
in order to optimise performance of two
absorption systems at the same time.
Development of catalytic materials for the
production of ultraclean fuels
T
he aim of this project is to produce
ultraclean diesel. To do so, NiW
catalytic materials solids are being
developed that allows us to control and
reduce harmful combustion exhaust gases.
These are supported on different oxides
that are highly active and selective, thus
providing hydrotreatment to light cycle oil,
which is Mexican in origin. In order to study
this, European and Mexican laboratories are
working together to characterise these diesel
cuts with cutting-edge technology (such
as two-dimensional gas chromatography,
simulated distillation and nuclear magnetic
24 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: resonance). This knowledge will allow us
to establish a correlation between activity,
selectivity and resistance to deactivation,
and the properties of solid catalysts, which
will in turn generate information on the
kinetics of real diesel cuts. The expected
result is to obtain between 1 and 3 prototype
catalysers, and with this resolve the problems
of evaluating Mexican diesel cuts which
comply with environmental regulations.
As a final result, PEMEX-Refinación would
have a solid and competitive basis for
developing an industrial catalyser from the
most outstanding prototypes worldwide.
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: • Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement
de Lyon, France.
• Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, Madrid, Spain.
• Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, Pachuca, Mexico.
MX$1.777.200,00/€110.835,32
MX$1.244.000,00/€77.582,23
21 months
12
José Antonio de los Reyes Heredia, PhD
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
jarh@xanum.uam.mx
Tel. +52 (55) 58044603
Non-nuclear Energy
Underwater geothermal resources in the
North of the Gulf of California
be used to determine the geomorphological
nature of these basins, which will allow us
to build detailed bathymetric maps. We shall
also study water/rock interaction processes
from samples collected by the unmanned
robot submarine (ROV) which shall allow
us to determine the nature of the bed at
depth. The result of these joint scientific
studies between European and Mexican
institutions will give us highly-qualified
human resources, as well as implementing
long-term projects for future exploitation of
underwater geothermal sources.
Project Coordinator: Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
25 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: • Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.
• Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
• National University of Ireland, Ireland.
• Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, Spain.
MX$16.068.251,00/€1.002.098,65
MX$9.148.251,00/€570.531,91
22 months
28
Rosa Ma. Prol Ledezma, PhD
Instituto de Geofísica
Tel. +52 (55) 56224394
prol@geofisica.unam.mx
Non-nuclear Energy
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
I
n order to find sustainable sources of
underwater energy which can be tapped,
this project is working on the nature of
hydrothermal energy within the tectonic
context of the Wagner and Consag Basins
(Gulf of California, Mexico). Moreover, it
seeks to determine the energy discharge
from heat flow maps and physicochemical
parameters at the seabed. This will us
to obtain an estimate of the probable
geothermal resources that exist in this sea
area. Multibeam echo sounders, data from
the Topas profiler and the side-scan sonar will
Sliding mode control and monitoring for
process automation in energy production
T
he objective of this project is to
form a Mexico-European Union
Research Network that develops
methods for controlling and monitoring
energy production processes by means of
higher order sliding mode algorithms. These
sliding modes are mathematical models used
for the simulation and implementation of
controllers. In turn, the controllers are used
to regulate a process. The result of this will
be an improvement in the supply of energy,
thus benefitting both public and industrial
sectors and contributing to stronger bonds
26 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: between Mexican research and industry.
At the same time, the network will allow
the training of high-level human resources
dedicated to encouraging the development
and implementation of cutting-edge
technology for saving energy, as well as the
exchange of theoretical and technological
advances between researchers by means of
a visit programme. It is important to note
that the improvement in efficiency of energy
conversion and transmission processes will
reduce the negative effects that generation
of this resource causes to the environment.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: • CINVESTAV, Zacatenco and Guadalajara, Mexico.
• Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico.
• Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France.
• Università di Cagliari, Italy.
• Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, Spain.
• University of Kent, United Kingdom.
• University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
• Università di Pavia, Italy.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: MX$1.603.457,00/€99.999,81
MX$1.122.419,00/€69.999,81
22 months
22
Leonid Fridman, PhD
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Tels. +52 (55) 56223016 & 54212056
lfridman@servidor.unam.mx
Non-nuclear energy
Development of an antivenom
treatment for snake bite poisoning with
european coverage
Those specialized products that exist in the
region have a liquid dosage form and their
coverage is limited. Conversely, the proposed
antivenom is composed of lyophilized
immunoglobulin fragments capable of
neutralizing the venom of European vipers
of medical importance. Stability tests and
immunochemical characterization of the
product will also be performed as part of the
goals of this project, and standard operating
procedures will be established for its further
manufacturing process.
Project Coordinator: Instituto Bioclon, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico
27 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees: Contact:
• Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Vivotecnia Research S.L. Madrid, Spain.
• Centre Antipoison et de Toxicovigilance de Marseille,
Hospital Salvador, Marseilles, France.
MX$14.349.995,00/€894.939,38
MX$10.044.997,00/€626.457,60
23 months
21
Jorge Fernando Paniagua Solís, PhD
Instituto Bioclon, S.A. de C.V.
Tel. +52 (55) 54883751
jpaniagu@prodigy.net.mx
Biomedicine and
health research
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
he purpose of this project is to
carry out the biopharmaceutical
development of an antivenom
capable of treating most European snakebiterelated envenomation. The idea is to obtain
a polivalent antivenom that resolves most
envenomation cases in the European Union,
by means of a systematic analysis of the
biological activity of medically-important
snake species. The result of this work will
be reflected in the extension of a line of
products that are specific, effective and
safe for markets with high added value.
A multidisciplinary approach for the study of
bone marrow-derived dendritic cells:
basic and clinical aspects
D
endritic cells belong to the immune
system and are able to capture both
self and non-self antigens, including
those from pathogens. The main function of
these cells is to catch antigens, processing
and presenting them to T lymphocytes,
which generate the immune response upon
activation. Therefore, dendritic cells have a
key role in the phenomenon of immunity
or resistance against viruses, bacteria and
pathogenic fungi. In addition, dendritic
cells also participate in the generation of
abnormal immune responses, directed
against self-antigens, resulting in so-called
autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid
arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
28 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: autoimmune thyroid disease, and
inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of
this project is to form a multidisciplinary
team to elucidate the exact role of dendritic
cells in different autoimmune conditions,
in order to improve our knowledge of
their pathogenesis and generate novel
therapeutic possibilities. To achieve this,
the research team will perform in vitro and
in vivo experiments, in patients as well as
in animal models of autoimmune diseases,
by employing sophisticated analytical
techniques. The expected products of this
project include young investigators with
excellent training, the generation of frontier
knowledge and patents.
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma
de Madrid, Spain.
• Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador
Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, the Netherlands.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
MX$22.950.000,00/€1.431.279,86
MX$16.034.000,00/€999.962,58
22 months
18
Roberto F. González Amaro, PhD
Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí
Tel. +52 (444) 8177706
rgonzale@uaslp.mx
Biomedicine and
health research
Development of transgenic
mosquitoes resistant to malaria and
dengue transmission
and a transgenic mosquito will be produced
that expresses these molecules, interrupting
the development of pathogens and
therefore their transmission. This project’s
objectives include the development of a
rapid screening system to find molecules
with anti-malaria and anti-dengue activity.
We will also expect to find proteins and
peptides able to interrupt malaria parasite
development and the replication of the
dengue virus. These scientific achievements
will have the potential for use by the
Mexican pharmaceutical industry and
health sector.
Project Coordinator: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Morelos, México.
29 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees: Contact:
• Oxitec Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Crete, Greece.
MX$14.600.000,00/€910.530,98
MX$10.180.000,00/€634.877,08
22 months
23
Juan Humberto Lanz Mendoza, PhD
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública
Tel. +52 (777) 3293074
humberto@correo.insp.mx
Biomedicine and
health research
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
M
alaria and dengue are very
important public health problems
in Mexico and in the rest of the
world. They require a vector mosquito
for development and transmission. In
this project, we will develop transgenic
mosquitoes resistant to the transmission
of these diseases. We are going to select
molecules that can avoid the development
of these pathogens in vitro. Among these,
we will investigate the inhibiting capacity
of the mosquito’s antimicrobial peptides,
scorpion venom toxins and some protease
inhibitors (serpins). The molecules with
greater inhibiting capacity will be selected,
Intracellular calcium in the regulation
of the circadian clock in mammals:
implications for mental health
T
he circadian clock is the mechanism
by which mammals coordinate
the timing of physiological and
behavioural processes which enable them
to adapt to an environment that changes on
a daily basis. These processes are biological
rhythms with a frequency of close to
24 hours, such as the sleep/wake cycle
or the daily pattern of hormonal release
into the blood. The main circadian clock
is the suprachiasmatic nuclei, a bilateral
structure located in the hypothalamus,
which is necessary to entrain rhythmicity in
peripheral oscillators, and thus coordinate
rhythmicity in the whole organism. In
this project, we will establish an academic
30 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: consortium among Mexican and European
scientists to conduct joint experimental
research in order to fully understand the
function of circadian clocks and their
possible application to mental health
alterations related to the clock function.
The main goal is to understand the role
of intracellular calcium in the circadian
clockwork in suprachiasmatic nuclei
neurons; to communicate our findings via
international high impact publications and
scientific forums; and to seek opportunities
to develop technological transfer to the
benefit of affective disorder patients such
as those with bipolar disorder, seasonal
affective disorder and/or major depression.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, D.F., México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N.,
Mexico City, Mexico.
• Universiteit Leiden, the Netherlands.
MX$13.833.695,00/€862.740,26
MX$9.673.695,00/€603.301,30
22 months
8
Raúl Antonio Aguilar Roblero, PhD
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Tel. +52 (55) 56225650
raguilar@ifc.unam.mx
Biomedicine and
health research
Comprehensive study of the genome,
proteome and metabolome in abortions and
live births of children with aneuploidy:
in search of noninvasive biomarkers
whether a condition, disease, or process is
normal or abnormal. This project has two
objectives: 1) to identify whether there are
specific biomarkers (such as proteins and
metabolites) that indicate the presence of
these chromosomal syndromes, and 2) to
find differences between abortions and live
births with the same aneuploid condition.
In this study we will include both live births
and spontaneous abortions with the same
aneuploidy. This will allow us to identify
candidate molecules that could be added
to the currently-used biomarkers, which
are primarily for Down’s syndrome, and to
provide information on genetic factors that
are associated with foetal death or survival
at birth of individuals with aneuploidies.
Project Coordinator: Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
31 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Genetadi Biotech S.L., Biscay, Spain.
• Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
$15.605.813,00/€973.258,64
$10.924.069,00/€681.281,04
21 months
23
Sara Frías Vazquez, PhD
Instituto Nacional de Pediatría
Tel.: +52 (55) 10845533
sarafrias@yahoo.com
Biomedicine and
Health Research
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
A
neuploidy is a change in the
chromosome number, which
can lead to genetic diseases. An
individual with aneuploidy may have an
extra or missing chromosome, which will
cause a deficiency in their physical or mental
development or both. Examples are Patau
syndrome (trisomy 13), Edwards syndrome
(trisomy 18), Down’s syndrome (trisomy
21) or Turner syndrome (monosomy X).
95% of these cases are spontaneously
aborted, but the 5% that come to term
represent a population with high morbidity
and mortality, especially among children. In
addition, biological markers or biomarkers
are biological molecules found in the
blood, bodily fluids or tissues that indicate
Conservation, development, social use
and protection of traditional mexican
knowledge and resources
T
he aim of this project is to identify
which communities in the states of
Guerrero, Hidalgo and Michoacán
possess Traditional Knowledge (TK) with
technological potential for the sustainable
management of the following natural
resources: maize, maguey, medicinal and
nutritious plants (MNP), aquatic resources
and species (ARS), wood and firewood. Our
prime concern is to develop technological
innovations that consider the protection
and intellectual property rights of the
participating communities in order for them
to manage these resources in a manner that
contributes to their sustainable economic
and social development. Similarly, the project
will offer tools to the communities to help
them overcome organisational challenges
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
32 Project Coordinator: in matters of collaboration, and to resolve
conflicts related to the management and
property of natural resources. Basic, applied,
and field research have been used to this end
for investigation of ethno-ecological, ethical,
political, socio-anthropological, economical,
legal and epistemological themes to
contribute to the objectives of the project.
The innovations will include the active
participation of the involved communities,
including the incorporation of appropriate
scientific and technological knowledge,
whilst respecting the conservation and
social uses of TK as well as culture and
environment. An Internet portal will be
developed to help disseminate these results
among various communities.
Seminario de Investigación sobre Sociedad del Conocimiento y Diversidad Cultural, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Groupe d’Études et de Services pour l’Économie des Ressources. (GEYSER), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France.
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
• Grupo Interdisciplinario de TecnologÌa Rural Apropiada,
Michoacán, Mexico.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: MX$26.658.709,00/€1.662.574,00
MX$16.034.600,00/€1.000.000,00
Economic and
22 months
social development
55
researc
León Olivé Morett, PhD
Seminario de Investigación sobre Sociedad
del Conocimiento y Diversidad Cultural, UNAM
Tel. +52 (55) 56227200 olive@unam.mx
Socio-demographic change and active
ageing: scientific contribution for
future-oriented public policy
T
his project seeks to generate public
policy for the elderly through
recommendations taken from
gerontological research which are designed
to improve the quality of life for elderly
individuals in the state of Colima. The
project also aims to ensure that quality
biopsychosocial wellbeing services are
provided to the elderly in Colima, so that
the state becomes a scientifically-supported
point of reference for other states in Mexico.
Thus, increased awareness of issues around
ageing in Mexican society will be achieved
through human resources training, updating
of databases on topics relating to the
elderly, specialized studies, workshops and
campaigns to promote active ageing, and
media dissemination of project results.
33 Servicios de Salud del Estado de Colima, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Universidad de Colima, Mexico.
• Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
• Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
• Fundación Academia Europea de Yuste, Spain.
MX$21.549.600,00/€1.343.943,72
MX$14.405.600,00/€898.407,19
22 months
32
Volker Georg Lehr Leipold, PhD
Servicios de Salud del Estado de Colima
piconsulta@aol.com, casoenac@gmail.com
Economic and
social development
research
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: Risk and vulnerability network: social
strategies of prevention and adaptation
W
ith the aim of preventing and
reducing the risk of hydrometeorological disasters in
Mexico and the European Union, this
network is developing new hypotheses
and research on the impacts and results
of adaptive strategies using environmental
analysis and social anthropology
perspectives. It has been argued that
sustainable development, as well as the
reduction, resolution, mitigation and
prevention of disaster risks, share the same
agenda and are interdependent, so that they
34 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: cannot be investigated separately. From the
recovery of cultural knowledge developed
over the years by many researchers and
institutions, the network analyses the
processes of social construction of risk
and vulnerability associated with specific
hazards. The initial assumption is that
disasters are long-term processes and that
disaster risk is a result of accumulated
vulnerability, hence the network uses the
concept of adaptive strategies, which are
derived from particular hazards (particularly
those with a recurring presence).
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en AntropologÍa Social (CIESAS), D.F., México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
• Department of World Cultures, University of Helsinki, Finland.
• University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees: Contact: MX$2.290.000,00/€142.816,16
MX$1.603.000,00/€99.971,31
22 months
12
Virginia Araceli García Acosta, PhD
CIEAS
Tel. +52 (55) 54873600
vgarciaa@ciesas.edu.mx
Economic and
social development
research
Scientific Network for Localised Agrifood
System (REDSIAL)
quality and classification of agrifood tourism
products and services. The aim of this is to
contribute to social cohesion as regards
differentiated agroindustrial products,
as well as developing the capability for
exchanging knowledge, methodologies and
analysis that allow us to set up research and
development projects with socio-economic
results. The Network shall eventually
include both stakeholders and participating
groups of rural businesses..
Project Coordinator: Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM), Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Estado de México, Mexico • Groupement d’Intérêt scientifique Systèmes Agroalimentaires
Localisés (Gis SYAL), Montpellier, France.
• Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Estado de
• Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherche sur l’Economie,
México, Mexico.
les Politiques et les Systèmes Sociaux (LEREPS),
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Université de Toulouse, France.
Mexico City, Mexico
• Centro de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, Consejo Superior de
• Universidad de los Altos de Chiapas, San Cristóbal, Mexico.
Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
• Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico.
• Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche
Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Paris, France.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: MX$3.222.600,00/€200.977,89
MX$1.600.000,00/€99.784,22
Economic and
social development
22 months
research
12
Angélica María de Jesús Espinoza Ortega, PhD
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Tel. +52 (722) 2965552 aeo@uaemex.mx
35 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
his network aims to contribute
to the design of new rural
development policies in the local
and territorial sphere in Mexico, placing
emphasis on the agroindustrial aspect.
Once a Scientific Network of researchers
and people responsible for cooperation
between Mexico and Europe has been
set up, research will begin into subjects
related to Rural Agroindustry (AIR),
Localised Agrifood Systems (SIAL), the
diversification of rural activities, and the
Oxides for Spintronics
S
pintronics is a new class of nanoscale
electronics that uses not only the
charge, but also the spin of electrons
in electronic devices, and which has many
applications, such as for information storage
devices. Controlling the spin of the electron
by magnetic fields or by spin transfer torque
means getting a higher data processing speed
and lower power consumption than with
the chips of conventional semiconductor
electronics. With regard to this, this project
has the objective to develop a prototype of a
novel spintronic device (probably a sensor),
36 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: for new potential applications and also to
improve some of those already in existence.
The project also develops new synthesis
routes and characterization methodologies
of thin films and nanoparticles based on
diluted magnetic oxides using sputtering,
spray-pyrolisis and chemical methods.
The scientific and technical results of this
project will be promoted through scientific
publications in international journals and
presentations at international congresses.
In order to provide legal protection, the
patents and inventions will be registered.
Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados,
Chihuahua, México.
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez,
Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Ingeniería en Diseños Electrónicos y Automatización,
Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.
• Fundación para el Desarrollo de las Telecomunicaciones
(Fundetel), Madrid, Spain.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: • Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
• CINVESTAV, I.P.N, Querétaro, Mexico
• Instituto de Magnetismo Aplicado, Universidad
Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
• LNCMI, Université de Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France.
MX$12.550.000,00/€782.682,45
Electronics,
MX$8.875.000,00/€553.490,58
materials and
22 months
metrology research
21
José Andrés Matutes Aquino, PhD
Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados
Tel. +52 (614) 4391104
jose.matutes@cimav.edu.mx
Basic research on advanced innovative
nanomaterials: applications for the
solution to neurological disorders
applies the drug, the drug does not have any
difficulty in crossing the blood brain barrier
with the nanostructured reservoir. Hence,
the potential of this mechanism is to have
efficient dosage release of therapeutic drugs
which is entirely safe and does not cause
side effects. Therefore, this project seeks to
create high-tech nanotherapy with greater
efficiency, accessible to all socioeconomic
strata, which allows substantial savings
for the Health Sector of the countries
involved.
Project Coordinator: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico.
37 Partners Countries:
Partners: • Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del
I.P.N., Mérida, Mexico.
• Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en
Electroquímica, Querétaro, Mexico.
• Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía,
Mexico City, Mexico.
• Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales Centro Mixto
(CSIC-US), Sevilla, Spain.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees: Contact: • Centro de Química-Física Molecular, Instituto Superior
Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Facultad de Química, Universidad del País Vasco,
the Basque Country, Spain.
• Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et
l’environnement de Lyon France.
• Université degli studi di Parma, Italy.
• Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajío,
Guanajuato, Mexico.
MX$28.200.000,00/€1.758.696,82
MX$15.953.849,00/€994.963,95
22 months
24
Tessy María López Goerne, PhD
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
tessy3@prodigy.net.mx
Electronics,
materials and
metrology research
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
he purpose of this project is to find
solutions to neurodegenerative
diseases (such as epilepsy,
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), and localised
tumours grade III and IV, through the
design, development and optimization
of a nanostructured reservoir that is
biocompatible with brain tissue. This will be
implanted by means of a minimally-invasive
stereotactic surgery and its function is to
release neurological drugs in the target site
of the brain for a period of one year. Unlike
traditional medicine, which systemically
Creation of a new Mex-EU network of
excellence for materials with industrial
applications
T
he goal of this project is the creation
of a scientific network for materials
with industrial applications.
Our purpose is to exchange knowledge
between research groups in Mexico and
the European Union, and organize projects
for bio-materials, photonic materials and
functional materials in general. One of the
main objectives is to design biomaterials
focussed on the design and transportation
of drugs, as well as specific biological
markers. The Mexican groups are experts
in optical materials (characterization of
materials with nonlinear optical properties,
photoconductivity, photo-luminescence
and electro-luminescence), synthesis
of organic molecules, and synthesis of
biomolecules (peptides). This network
will generate communication opportunities
for connecting scientific partners and
contributing to increased research activity
in materials science.
38 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: CINVESTAV, I.P.N., Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Centro de Investigaciones en Óptica AC,
Guanajuato, Mexico.
• Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, Spain
• Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Mexico City, Mexico.
• Veneto Nanotech, Padua, Italy.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: MX$2.120.000,00/€132.214,09
MX$1.484.000,00/€92.549,86
22 months
10
Eusebio Juaristi Cosio, PhD
CINVESTAV
Tel.: +52 (55) 57473722
ejuarist@cinvestav.mx
Electronics,
materials and
metrology research
Community conservation (CONSERVCOM):
the role of local participation in
biodiversity Conservation. case studies
from the southeast of Mexico
elements that contribute to the current
debate regarding public, community and
private models for the protection of natural
areas as conservation strategies. We hope
that results from the project will provide
knowledge which contributes to the
formation of public policies for management
of protected natural areas. We also hope to
present these results at regional and local
levels, in order to provide useful tools aimed
at strengthening biodiversity conservation
initiatives.
Project Coordinator:
Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Veracruz, Mexico
39 Partners Countries:
Partners: • Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Mexico.
• Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Ambientales,
Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
• Centre for Biocultural Diversity, School of Anthropology
and Conservation, University of Kent, United Kingdom.
• Global Diversity Foundation, United Kingdom.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact:
• Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, UNAM,
Michoacán, Mexico.
• Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Universidad
Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico.
MX$7.404.120,00/€461.758,95
MX$4.744.400,00/€295.885,15
22 months
19
Luciana Porter Bolland, PhD
Instituto de Ecología
Tel. +52 (228) 8421800
luciana.porter@ecologia.edu.mx
Environmental and
climate research;
including earth
observation
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
hrough the establishment of an
international interdisciplinary
consortium, the Conservcom
project has the objective of conducting
research in order to identify risks and
opportunities of different strategies for
biodiversity conservation that vary in the
levels in which local people participate
regarding management and decisionmaking. Research is being conducted in
natural settings throughout Southeast
Mexico in areas that differ in conservation
strategies. We aim to derive theoretical
Field and instrumental observations and
experimental surveys applied to volcanic
disaster Prevention: development of new
instruments and methods for studying
volcanic activity
T
he aim of this project is greater
understanding of volcanic eruptions
in order to predict them. To do so,
instrument and methodology development
are combined by means of field work,
laboratory experiments and monitoring data
on active volcanoes. Once eruption patterns
have been identified, it will be possible to
make appropriate decisions in the event of a
volcanic eruption. A consortium of scientific
institutions and volcanic observatories
will be created in order to achieve these
40 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: objectives. This will work jointly to relate
results from active volcano monitoring with
processes simulated in the laboratory by
experimenting with natural volcanic samples
under controlled conditions. In this way,
both the accuracy of volcanic monitoring
and the correlation of geophysical data will
be improved, resulting in a more efficient
evaluation of volcanic dangers and risks
that will increase the quality of protection
given to society.
Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: • Universidad de Colima, Mexico.
• Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg, Germany.
• Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia,
Palermo and Rome, Italy.
• Chalmers Tekniska Hoegskola AB, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Ludwig-Maximilian Universität Munich, Germany.
MX$14.693.813,00/€916.381,64
MX$10.280.773,00/€641.161,80
22 months
32
Hugo Delgado Granados, PhD
Instituto de Geofísica
Tel. +52 (55) 56224119
hugo@geofisica.unam.mx
Environmental and
climate research;
including earth
observation
Theoretical chemistry network for
environment and health
of compounds with an antioxidant effect.
Studies in the network will also include
free radicals (highly-reactive atoms that
provoke chain reactions and destroy cells),
chemical changes in the DNA and their
mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, as well
as their effects on ageing. The above will
be achieved thanks to the cooperation of
participants from Mexico and the EU and
the transfer and exchange of information in
areas of common interest.
Project Coordinator: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico
41 Partners Countries:
Partners: • Universidad de Islas Baleares, Spain.
• Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA), France.
• Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Consejo Superior de
Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Granada, Spain.
• Università della Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: MX$3.756.000,00/€234.243,45
MX$1.500.000,00/€93.547,70
21 months
16
Professor Annik Vivier Jegoux
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Tels. +52 (55) 58044965 & 58044675
annik@xanum.uam.mx
Environmental and
climate research;
including earth
observation
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
he aim of this scientific network is
to suggest new methodologies for
studying atmospheric pollution and
oxidative stress phenomena in biological
organisms. These new methodologies
will allow us to calculate data for
thermodynamic, kinetic and chemical
reaction mechanisms, which will be used to
model air quality. Moreover, this information
will allow us to evaluate the polluting
effect of new industrial compounds,
which will have a bearing on the design
Bioprocesses and control for water
treatment, BITA
T
he objective of this network is to
find solutions for the problems of
contamination of water resources
by means of the optimal application of
biological wastewater treatment processes.
The optimization of these processes will
be focussed on the search for new and
better biological techniques as well as
the application of modelling, monitoring
and automatic control techniques. The
BITA Academic & Research Network was
42 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator:
created in order to achieve these objectives.
This network acts as a mechanism for
collaboration on technical and scientific
projects between the institutions
participating in the consortium. The BITA
Network will allow us to gather and bring
together the knowledge and experience
of the leading institutions in this area.
Similarly, it will establish mechanisms for
exchange and collaboration to train human
resources in this area.
Universidad de Guadalajara, México
Partners Countries:
Partners: • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.
(Laboratoire de Biotecnologie de l’Environement
LBE-INRA), Narbonne, France.
• Instituto Potosino de Investigacion Cientifica y
Tecnológica AC, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: • Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM, Querétaro, Mexico.
• Université Catholique de Louvain (Centre d’Ingénierie
des Systèmes d’Automatique et de Mécanique.
Appliquée, CESAME-UCL), Leuven, Belgium.
MX$1.585.260,00/€98.864,95
MX$1.109.682,00/€69.205,47
21 months
Environmental and
15
climate research;
including earth
Víctor Alcaraz González, PhD
observation
Universidad de Guadalajara
Tel. +52 (33) 13785900
victor.alcaraz@cucei.udg.mx
Research network for sustainable
management of land ecosystems
the conditions required to improve the
participation of Mexican institutions in the
research, technological development and
innovation programs offered by both the
European Union and CONACYT. Thus, the
consortium will become a leading network
at national and international levels, as a
result of the impact of the research, as
well as the quality of the results, highlevel training of personnel, and the transfer
of knowledge, technology, innovation,
products and services to the societies of
both regions.
Project Coordinator: Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Mexico
43 Partners Countries:
Partners: • Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico
• Instituto Tecnológico de El Salto, Durango, Mexico
• Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales,
Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Mexico City, Mexico
•
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame:
Employees:
Contact: • Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Stiftung Oeffentlichen
Rechts, Göttingen, Germany
• Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica
de Lisboa, Portugal
• Universidad de León, Spain
MX$2.279.528,00/€142.163,07
MX$1.595.670,00/€99.514,18
23 months
32
José Javier Corral Rivas, PhD
Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango
Tel. +52 (618) 1301096
jcorral@ujed.mx
Environmental and
climate research;
including earth
observation
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
his consortium has the goal of
strengthening the scientific and
technological capabilities of the
participating Mexican research groups in
order to improve their competitiveness,
regarding aspects related to sustainable
management of land ecosystems. In order
to achieve this objective, a cooperative
research network among Mexican and
European institutions has been created. Its
purpose is to provide solutions to national
environmental problems and to promote the
creative capacity of the network members.
The creation of this consortium will provide
Comprehensive treatment of complex
wastewater products from the oil industry
D
ue to the worldwide problem
of complex effluent pollution
(waste water) in the oil
industry, this project has the objective
of creating a comprehensive treatment
for eliminating compounds that typically
contain carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and
sulphur from these effluents. To do so, a
multidisciplinary international network will
be created, consisting of expert researchers.
Employing a biochemical, physiological
and microbiological approach, these
will design a pilot plant for treatment of
wastewater, taking into account aspects
44 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: of design, control and reactor operation.
The network aims to resolve the same
problem with different approaches, as
well as to coordinate the training of highlevel human resources under codirection
schemes and to exchange information and
knowledge on the fields of study. Albeit to
a lesser extent, the Mexican groups shall
also provide valuable experience on specific
subjects and human resources. In order to
disseminate the information generated, a
workshop open to the public will be held on
the removal of nutrients.
CINVESTAV-IPN., Mexico City, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: • Institutito Potosino de Investigación Científica.
y Tecnología A.C., Mexico.
• Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain.
• Universidad de Valladolid, Spain.
• University of Wageningen, The Netherlands.
• Universidade do Minho, Portugal.
MX$2.412.593,00/€150.461,69
MX$1.565.093,00/€97.607,24
22 months
16
Frédéric Thalasso, PhD
CINVESTAV
Tel.: +52 (55) 57473320
thalasso@cinvestav.mx
Environmental and
climate research;
including earth
observation
Europe-Mexico consortium for the
development of quantum information and
communication technologies
markets. In order to attain these goals, this
project will undertake an ample study on
the generation, detection and transmission
of non-classical light, and on derived
applications. The consortium will also study
the storage of quantum information in
memories built from atomic systems and
the use of quantum entanglement between
atoms and photons. The intellectual
property derived from this project will
be safeguarded by international patents,
and the results obtained will be published
in high-impact journals and presented at
scientific conferences.
Project Coordinator: Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Mexico City, Mexico
45 Partners Countries:
Partners: • CINVESTAV, I.P.N., Guadalajara, Mexico.
• Centro de Investigacion Científica y de Educación
Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
• Centro Nacional de Metrología, Querétaro, Mexico.
•
Servicios Condumex, Mexico City, Mexico.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact: • Iusacell PCS de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for
Research and Technology – Hellas, Crete, Greece.
• Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford University, United Kingdom.
• Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico.
MX$22.857.117,00/€1.425.487,20
MX$16.000.000,00/€997.842,17
22 months
36
Alfred Barry U Ren Cortes, PhD
Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, UNAM
Tel. +52 (55) 56224672
alfred.uren@nucleares.unam.mx
Information society
technologies
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
his project aims to develop
technology which may permit
the practical implementation of
quantum information processing and
transmission protocols, utilizing the laws
of quantum mechanics in the area of
communications and informatics. The
knowledge and expertise developed in
the consortium will be made available to
participating Mexican companies, which
will be able to position themselves as
leaders in the transmission and processing
of information as they become more
competitive in national and international
Dynamic probabilistic graphical models and
their applications
T
he main objective of the project
is to develop new methods for
construction, inference and
explanation of Dynamic Probabilistic
Graphical Models (DPGM), which will be
incorporated into software tools, in order
to apply them in solving four problems
that are highly relevant in Medicine: costeffectiveness analysis of the vaccine against
human papillomavirus; rehabilitation
of people who have suffered a stroke;
46 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: prognosis and treatment of ovarian cancer,
and selection of combinations of HIV drugs.
We also seek to apply these models to solve
complex problems in industry, such as the
operation of power plants, considering
safety, efficiency and environmental
impact, and training of operators through
an intelligent assistant. The results will be
disseminated in journals, magazines and at
conferences.
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica Óptica y Electrónica, Puebla, Mexico.
Partners Countries:
Partners: •
Agencia Laín Entralgo, Madrid, Spain.
• Atos Origin, Madrid, Spain.
• Instituto de Investigaciones Eléctricas, Morelos, Mexico.
• Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de
Monterrey, Mexico City, Mexico.
Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Probayes, France.
• Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
• Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, Spain.
• University of Dundee, United Kingdom.
MX$15.564.497,00/€970.681,96
MX$9.561.270,00/€596.289,90
22 months
43
Luis Enrique Sucar Succar, PhD
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica Óptica
y Electrónica
Tel. +52 (222) 2663100
esucar@inaoep.mx
Information society
technologies
Image analysis for controlling
autonomous robots
vision and control algorithms, whilst the
Universidad Complutense de Madrid is
testing stereoscopic analysis techniques
for the autonomous movement of robots
in open spaces. The algorithms produced
shall be placed in public domain libraries.
Implementations in software and hardware
shall be documented in detail in order to
extend real benefits to the entire scientific
community. The results of the research will
allow the use of low-cost components and
will contribute to the training of human
resources, as well as robotics and computer
vision research at public universities. It is
hoped that the Mexican network partners
will forge links with car and vehicle
manufacturing companies, among others.
Project Coordinator: Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
47 Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
• Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
MX$2.150.000,00/€134.085,04
MX$1.500.000,00/€93.547,70
22 months
15
Juan Humberto Sossa Azuela, PhD
Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Tel. +52 (55) 57296000
hsossa@cic.ipn.mx
Information society
technologies
Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
he challenge of this network is to
build wheeled service robots which
are capable of detecting obstacles
(cars or pedestrians, among others) based
to a large extent on the use of images
obtained from cameras placed on the
vehicle. In order to achieve this, the network
will develop image analysis algorithms for
processing those acquired in sudden turns
or fast trajectories. The Freie Universität
Berlin, Universidad de Madrid and
Universidad de Guadalajara have already
developed humanoid robots that have
video cameras installed in the head section,
which rotate horizontally and vertically to
cover their environment. Moreover, the
CIC-IPN possesses several mobile robots
and a robot manipulator for testing new
Processing, properties and characteristics
of steels for electrical uses
I
n order to improve the processing
conditions of steels used in the
electrical sector, this project established
a consortium of Mexican and European
Institutions to study the effect that
processing variables exert (from melting
to the product delivered to the end user).
Whilst mechanical properties are of
paramount importance in steels produced
to fulfil structural demands, properties such
as the reduction of magnetic losses or ease
of magnetisation are preponderant in the
manufacture of electrical steels. This has
led to an interest in analysing the effects
that magnetic properties and the geometry
of the steel sheet exert on electrical
48 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
Project Coordinator: equipment. This is done by reviewing the
effect that impurities present in the material
to be melted (specifically when scrap is
used); the content of interstitial elements
and the process used to eliminate them;
the effect of the heating cycle and the hot
rolling schedule; the cooling process and the
waiting time before pickling and after cold
rolling, as well as the cold rolling schedules,
including the annealing stages. The above
affects the improvements that can be made
in electrical motors and transformers that
are made taking into account the effect
that environmental conditions exert on
oxidation, to optimize electrical isolation
between steel sheets.
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany.
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Universiteit Gent, Belgium.
• Consultores en Conformado y Procesos de Manufactura,
Nuevo León, Mexico.
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain.
MX$22.102.513,00/€1.378.426,22
MX$15.471.759,00/€964.898,34
22 months
Industrial and
16
manufacturing
Rafael Colas Ortiz, PhD
technologies
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Tel. +52 (81) 83294020 MERGEFIELD “Telefono”
rcolas@mail.uanl.mx
Research, development and implementation
of a prototype product line of centrifugal
split case pumps for clear liquids handling
an innovative hydraulic and mechanical
design, new material engineering and a
modern manufacturing design, which will
reduce manufacturing costs by at least
10%. The project will create 6-8 prototypes
that can easily be scaled up to a full line of
46 split case centrifugal pumps. In addition
to these advantages, the project will allow
the creation of new sources of work as well
as the training of highly-specialized human
resources.
Project Coordinator: Ruhrpumpen, Nuevo León, Mexico
Partners Countries:
Partners: Total Cost: FONCICYT Contribution: Time Frame: Employees:
Contact:
• Centro de Tecnología Avanzada (CIATEQ), Querétaro, Mexico
• Dr. Kraemer Engineering, Halle, Germany
• Envita Doo, Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Lake Flow, United Kingdom
MX$16.771.006,00/€1.045.926,06
MX$11.736.000,00/€731.917,23
22 months
34
Guillermo Bortoni Elizondo, Eng
Industrial and
Ruhrpumpen
manufacturing
Tel. +52 (81) 81585500
technologies
GBortoni@ruhrpumpen.com
49 Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology
T
his project is developing a new
line consisting of 46 split case
centrifugal pumps that, unlike other
existing lines in the market, will provide
higher energy efficiency and a more compact
and economical design. The benefits that
this new line will provide to users are:
lower energy consumption levels, less raw
material usage, sturdiness of the shaft,
better lubrication system, less vibration
and easier manufacturability. In order to
achieve this, the new product line presents
FONCICYT STAFF
Programme Director
Leonardo Ríos Guerrero
Technical Department
Leopoldo Vilchis Ramírez
Administrative Department
Rafael Pando Cerón
Technical Management Group
María de los Ángeles de los Ríos Corte
Hernando López Quezada
José Emmanuel García Estrada
Claudia Hernández Galíndez
Enrique Navarrete Rojas
Administrative Management Group
Soledad Ramos Penin
Rafael Aguilar Herrera
Elio Vázquez Colín
Zurisadai Vásquez Gómez
Jorge Luna Rodríguez
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Public Image
Adeline Coquard
Katia León Monterrubio
«This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its content is the exclusive responsibility
of the Fund for International Cooperation in Science and Technology between Mexico and the European Union
(FONCICYT) and under no circumstances may it be considered to reflect the point of view of the latter.»
The FONCICYT catalogue was printed in September
2010 in Mexico City.
1000 copies were printed.
Editor-in-chief: Hernando López Quezada
Editing Coordinators: Katia León Monterrubio
and Adeline Coquard
Contributors:
José Emmanuel García Estrada
Claudia Hernández Galíndez
Enrique Navarrete Rojas
Humberto Acosta Salinas Publishing Design: MERCOM Consulores
Translation: David Bevis
FONCICYT Catalogue