The partnership between the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Imperial, underscores the growing importance of international cooperation in tackling global challenges.
At the recent annual scientific meeting, academics and leaders from the world-leading institutes gathered to discuss the impact of these collaborative efforts.
In 2022, Imperial and the CNRS launched the International Research Centre for Transformational Science and Technology (IRC), the first of its kind in the UK and Europe.
This partnership has evolved into a dynamic Franco-UK convergence science network, creating a wide range of new joint laboratories, doctoral training networks and research programmes.
The annual meeting in Paris celebrated progress of flagship programmes in the physics of medicine, neuromorphic computing, metabolism, and quantum fields and strings, as well as the work underway in the two joint International Research Labs focusing on mathematics and engineering.
Tackling global challenges
More than 50 alumni gathered in Paris to hear from leading researchers.
During the event, Imperial hosted a special alumni event in Paris where Imperial researchers shared their ideas to tackle global challenges with the gathered alumni and friends.
A panel session with Professors Sandrine Heutz, Eric Climent, Fang Xie and Emmanuel Brouillet sparked thoughtful discussion around the scale of today’s global challenges and the essential role of international collaboration in tackling them.
From improving early disease detection through nanomaterials, to understanding complex conditions like neurodegenerative diseases via large-scale data, and accelerating the green energy transition through solar innovation, the speakers underscored how partnerships across borders are critical to scientific progress.
Major projects advancing scientific discovery
The CNRS-Imperial International Research Centre for Transformational Science and Technology supports research in sustainability, connectivity and health
The IRC sees the two institutions collaborate on early-career researcher training such as PhD programmes, research funding and proposals including with Horizon Europe, as well sharing facilities, laboratories, infrastructure and data.
It also supports interdisciplinary collaboration between the CNRS and Imperial in sustainability, connectivity and health, with efforts especially aimed at addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Examples of these efforts include:
Tackling cancer
Imperial and CNRS researchers spanning the physical and biomedical disciplines are coming together via the LhARA project to bring the latest advances in particle physics into the realms of biomedical science.
Proton beam therapy is a newer approach to this problem. It involves accelerating a beam of protons and precisely targeting the cancer, in such a way that almost all of its energy is deposited in a small volume within a tumour causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Advancing mathematics
The Abraham de Moivre International Research Laboratory is working on some of society’s greatest challenges – such as climate, health and sustainability.
Many new and emerging technologies that become embedded within future society will rely on mathematics. For example, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are typically underpinned by complex algorithms.
Scientists at the mathematics laboratory aim to use their expertise to improve these algorithms in a number of areas which could enable platforms to improve precision healthcare, better protect privacy and personal information, and improve modelling for use in areas such as climate monitoring and finance.
Treating metabolic diseases
Imperial, the CNRS and the University of Lille are leading a major project into metabolic diseases.
Diseases linked with metabolism, such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity affect millions of people around the world. This collaboration is working on 'fast-track' treatments for these conditions.
The Integrative Metabolism International Research Project (IRP) is using artificial intelligence, machine learning and other methods to improve understanding and develop potential drugs and treatments for these conditions.
One of the key parts of the project is to develop a ‘Google Earth’ of metabolism, to understand the distribution of metabolites across the body and how they interact with other organs.
Quantum fields and strings
This international research network builds on the collaboration and complementarity of expertise in the field of theoretical physics and mathematical physics between the CNRS and Imperial.
More specifically, it builds upon the theory of superstrings and strongly coupled field theories, an area which has seen drastic advances in recent years and is relevant for a wide spectrum of problems, ranging from fundamental aspects of quantum gravity and holography, to practical applications in particle physics, condensed matter or mathematics.
This network, with the best research institutions in Europe and around the world, strengthens collaborations and scientific exchanges, including training activities at doctoral and postdoctoral.
Sustainable computing
The GOLDMINE project—short for International Research Network in AdvancinG TechnOlogy, AppLications anD FundaMentals In Coherent NanosourcEs—is a collaborative European scientific network. The network harnesses a cross-disciplinary approach, merging the expertise of physicists, chemists, and biologists to push the boundaries of nanoscale research. By exploring advanced coherent nanosources, the project aims to unlock innovative applications in technology such as sustainable computing and deepen our understanding of fundamental principles at the nano level.
Next generation of researchers
Imperial and the CNRS have a joint PhD programme to train the next generation of world-leading researchers that has involved more than 50 students and 30 collaborative projects since 2020. This includes 4 newly awarded projects, ranging from studying how tiny sounds might affect power grids to using AI to decipher the structure of intricate neuronal proteins.
Past joint PhD projects have worked in areas such as arctic climate, batteries, bioengineering, metabolism and mathematics.
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