The 2nd CLUE-H meeting convened in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, hosted at the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) premises. The event had a primary objective of providing a comprehensive overview of CLUE-H’s progress to date. Key topics and presentations during the meeting included:

EC DG SANTE & DG RTD Representatives:

• EU framework programs for research and innovation in Environment & Health presented by Rita Araujo.
• A brief update on the policy regarding electromagnetic fields and Council Recommendation, presented by Alexander Gabilondo.
• SHEER Opinion discussed by Theodoros Samaras.

CLUE-H Cluster Highlights:

• An overview was presented by SEAWave’s Theodoros Samaras.

CLUE-H Project Highlights:

• NextGEM presented by Nikolaos Petroulakis.
• GOLIAT discussed by Mònica Guxens.
• ETAIN overviewed by Anke Huss.
• SEAWave highlighted by Theodoros Samaras.

Working Group Sessions:

1. WG1 – Science translation for policy and practice, led by SEAWave.
2. WG2 – Data management and exchange, led by NextGEM.
3. WG3 – Communication and Dissemination, led by ETAIN.
4. WG4 – Experimental studies, led by NextGEM.
5. WG5 – Exposure assessment, jointly led by GOLIAT and SEAWave.

Following these key sessions, several research scientists presented their findings:

• Gemma Castaño from GOLIAT shared insights on the use of communication devices among young people from a multicountry survey.
• Brahim Selmaoui, also from GOLIAT, discussed the impact of 3.5 GHz 5G signals on electrical brain activity in healthy volunteers, presenting a controlled randomized study within environmental levels.
• Mariateresa Allocca from NextGEM characterized a reverberation chamber-based 5G in vitro exposure system from a biological perspective.
• Erdal Korkmaz, also from NextGEM, presented instruments and emulating environments for 5G RF-EMF.
• Pieterjan De Boose from ETAIN focused on the numerical quantification of RF-EMF exposure of insects.
• Nekane Sandoval Diez, also from ETAIN, discussed the development of an open-access smartphone application for RF-EMF exposure assessment, providing an app description and pilot results.
• Serge Bories and Taghrid Mazloum from SEAWave introduced the DEVIN device.
• Christoph Böhmert, also from SEAWave, presented studies on 5G perception.

The meeting served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts and researchers in the field of electromagnetic fields and human health, contributing to the ongoing progress of the CLUE-H initiative.

The CLUE-H brochure is part of the communication and dissemination activities undertaken for this cluster. It has been developed as a simple and flexible tool to distribute online for reaching interested stakeholders and present the cluster’s aim and members.

Please click anywhere between the images to view and download the brochure.

In a striking display of commitment to advancing the field of bioelectromagnetics, Project NextGEM made waves at BioEM2023, the world’s premier conference in this domain. Held from June 19th to June 23rd in the historic city of Oxford, UK, this year’s event witnessed Project NextGEM’s active participation and impactful contributions.

European Commission Funding and EMF Research

The conference began on a high note with Rita Araujo from the DG Research & Innovation of the European Commission taking the stage. She presented the EC-funded research on electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health, a critical area where NextGEM plays a pivotal role as part of the Research Cluster on EMF CLUE-H. This presentation set the stage for highlighting the importance and relevance of our project on the global stage.

Leadership in Key Sessions

Two key members of the NextGEM team, Mats-Olof Mattsson and Myrtill Simkó, assumed the role of session chairs, underlining their expertise in the “in-vivo” session. Their involvement showcased NextGEM’s leadership within the bioelectromagnetics community.

Genotoxicity Research Insights

Maria Rosaria Scarfi delivered a thought-provoking presentation during the conference, sharing a systematic review of the evidence regarding the genotoxicity of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields from in vitro studies on mammalian cells. Chaired by Olga Zeni, this presentation contributed significantly to ongoing discussions on the effects of RF electromagnetic fields on biological systems.

Poster Presentations: A Visual Impact

The NextGEM project team made a strong visual impact with the presentation of four posters. These visually engaging displays served as a platform to communicate their groundbreaking research findings and initiate stimulating discussions among fellow conference attendees.

Shaping the WHO RF EMF Health Risk Assessment

Maria Rosaria Scarfi also assumed the role of session chair for the “Reviewing for the WHO RF EMF Health Risk Assessment” session, with a focus on the requirements for studies to be informative. This underscores NextGEM’s integral role in informing health risk assessments related to RF EMF exposure, particularly in vitro studies.

Numerical Dosimetry Expertise

Nikolaos Petroulakis, showcased his expertise by co-chairing a session on numerical dosimetry. This highlighted NextGEM’s dedication to understanding and modeling electromagnetic field exposure, a vital aspect of bioelectromagnetics research.

Supporting Emerging Talent

Olga Zeni’s participation in the closing ceremony and her involvement in student awards demonstrated NextGEM’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of bioelectromagnetics researchers.

Announcing BioEM2024 in Chania, Crete, Greece

As the coordinator of Project NextGEM and chair of the local organizing committee for the next BioEM conference, Nikolaos Petroulakis, made an exciting announcement. BioEM2024 is scheduled to take place from June 16th to June 21st, 2024, in the picturesque city of Chania, Crete, Greece. This forthcoming event promises to be a significant gathering for the bioelectromagnetics community.

In conclusion, BioEM2023 was a resounding success for Project NextGEM, with its substantial contributions leaving a lasting impact on the field of bioelectromagnetics. The team’s dedication to advancing research and fostering collaboration was palpable throughout the conference, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.