Pan-European Research Network

SEREN

Connecting Europe's space life sciences researchers across disciplines, borders, and missions

Space Life Sciences European Research Network
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Vision & Rationale

Europe's expertise in space life sciences remains fragmented. SEREN exists to change that.

SEREN is a pan-European interdisciplinary network in space life sciences. Across national systems and disciplinary silos, exceptional work in space biology, biotechnology, and biomedical research goes unconnected — limiting Europe's collective impact.

SEREN addresses this gap by connecting researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and civil society in a coherent, mission-driven network. The network is grounded in a dual-use innovation model: leveraging space environments as unique experimental platforms while translating findings into terrestrial solutions for ageing, health resilience, food security, and sustainability.

With 70+ researchers from 20+ institutions across Europe, SEREN advances Horizon Europe's mission-oriented research goals and ESA's Terrae Novae exploration priorities — positioning Europe competitively within a global space economy projected to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2035.

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Strategic Pillars

Pillar I

Space for Health

Astronaut data and microgravity biology translated into new therapies and biotech products. Bridging space physiology with terrestrial advances in ageing, metabolic health, and disease resilience.

Pillar II

Space for Sustainability

Space mission constraints as drivers of circular economy and resource efficiency technologies. From closed-loop life support systems to sustainable terrestrial applications, scarcity becomes innovation.

Pillar III

Space for Innovation

Integrating Europe's space and biotech sectors to accelerate breakthroughs and skills retention. Structured pathways to Horizon Europe consortia, ESA-industry partnerships, and COST Innovators Grants.

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Working Groups

WG 01 Physiological adaptation, ageing, and metabolic health in space
WG 02 Microbial biotechnology and microbial-host interaction
WG 03 Plants, life support, and sustainable ecosystems
WG 04 Regenerative medicine and biomedical technologies
WG 05 Pharmaceutical sciences and autonomous health systems
WG 06 Communication, dissemination, and public outreach
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Industrial & Applied Research Partners

Non-academic organisations engaged in SEREN's preparatory discussions, identified as prospective partners for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Network and future collaborative calls.

Country Organisation Contact
Armenia DEPI Space Research Hub Ms Gayane Hakobyan
Belgium Space Applications Services NV Dr Miguel Ferreira
Bulgaria Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology, BAS / EPIX.AI Prof Milena Georgieva
France MEDES – Institut de Médecine et Physiologie Spatiale (IMPS) Dr Adeline Martin
France ALATYR Mr Alexandre Becache
Lithuania Delta Biosciences Mr Dominykas Milasius
Malta SPACEOMIX Dr Joseph Borg
Poland Extremo Technologies Ms Wiktoria Dziadula / Ms Ewa Borowska
United Kingdom Apotech in Extreme Dr Li Shean Toh
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Strategic Impact

🛰

Advances Horizon Europe mission-oriented research and ESA's Terrae Novae exploration priorities.

⚖️

Supports the emerging EU Space Act and EU Biotech Act policy frameworks.

🔗

Creates structured pathways to Horizon Europe consortia and ESA-industry partnerships.

🌍

Positions Europe competitively within a global space economy projected to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2035.

70+
Researchers
20+
Institutions
6
Working Groups
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Leadership

Chair-Elect
Dr Willian A. da Silveira
PhD FHEA · University of Salford, Manchester
w.a.dasilveira@salford.ac.uk
Vice-Chair Elect
Dr Ivelina Kadiri
PhD · University of Economics – Varna
ivelina.kadiri@ue-varna.bg