Dovepress Nanoinformatics: a new area of research in nanomedicine Table 2 Important events in the nanoinformatics field over the past 5 years Nanoinformatics events and activities Past Launch of the first version of the caNanoLab Portal, a research framework for biomedical nanotechnology data sharing. National Cancer Institute Nanoinformatics workshop. Arlington, VA Launch of NanoMedNet, a platform for education and training in nanomedicine for medical professionals The Network for Computational Nanotechnology receive a grant of USD$18.25 million from the National Science Foundation to support the nanoHub project, focused on computer simulation at the nano level Establishment of NanoSafe Inc, Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center’s Knowledgeworks Business Accelerator Research Challenges for Nanomanufacturing Systems. Arlington, VA Launch of NanoImpactNet, a multidisciplinary European network on the health and environmental impact of nanomaterials Launch of ACTION-Grid, first European initiative on Nanoinformatics NSTI Nanotech Conference organized by Nano Science and Technology Institute (NSTI). Boston, MA Launch of the International Alliance for NanoEHS Harmonization at Nanotox 2008 Conference. Zurich, Switzerland Launch of the first working version of the NanoParticle Ontology. NCI Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG®) Nanotechnology working Group Publication of the white paper Ontologies in cancer nanotechnology research. caBIG, National Cancer Institute Publication of the white paper The need for minimum information standards for development and advancement of nanomaterials as cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. caBIG, National Cancer Institute Publication of the white paper Nanotechnology Informatics White Paper.83 caBIG, National Cancer Institute Nanotech Conference and Expo 2009 organized by NSTI. Houston, TX 1D Heterostructure Tool, new tool for the simulation of heterostructures at the atomic scale Launch of GoodNanoGuide, an Internet-based collaboration platform about handling nanomaterials in an occupational setting. International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) Inclusion of Medical Nanoinformatics in the “Recommendations of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) on Education in Biomedical and Health Informatics” Synergies in Nanoscale Manufacturing and Research workshop. Ithaca, NY Report to the President and Congress on the Third Assessment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)78 Nanoinformatics publication in Pediatrics Research (first in a medical journal) by Maojo et al “Nanoinformatics and DNA-based computing: catalyzing nanomedicine”24 Development of nano-TAB as ASTM standard (ASTM wK28974) initiated, standard for identifying nanomaterials and characterizations in a tab-delimited format NanoTech Conference and Expo 2010. Anaheim, CA Launch of the Collaboratory for Structural Nanobiology. National Cancer Institute and University of Talca Publication of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond Publication of The ACTION-Grid White Paper on Nanoinformatics.80 ACTION-Grid Consortium, approved by the European Commission Destination Nano! Premier nanomanufacturing Conference, UMass Lowell. Lowell, MA Launch of the Nanoscience Portal. National Science Foundation “Nanoinformatics: making sense out of nanotechnology information.” International Council on Nanotechnology Publication of the report Nanotechnology Research Directions for Societal Needs in 2020. National Science Foundation 5th General Assembly and Annual Forum of the European Technology Platform on Nanomedicine. Milan, Italy Nanoinformatics 2010. Arlington, VA Nanoinformatics review in Methods of Information in Medicine by de la Iglesia et al, “International efforts in nanoinformatics research applied to nanomedicine” Nanotechnology Innovation Summit, washington DC. National Nanotechnology Initiative Establishment of QNano, integrated hub to support Europe’s nanosafety research community Publication of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan. National Science and Technology Council Publication of the Nanoinformatics 2020 Roadmap.79 National Nanomanufacturing Network 5th Concertation and Consultation workshop on Micro-Nano-Bio-Convergence Systems 2011. Mondragon, Spain Nanoinformatics publication in Biological Research by González-Nilo et al, “Nanoinformatics: an emerging area of information technology at the intersection of bioinformatics, computational chemistry and nanobiotechnology” Publication of the Materials Genome Initiative Report Materials Genome Initiative for Global Competitiveness. National Sciences and Technology Council, washington DC NanoTech Conference and Expo 2011. Boston, MA Nanoinformatics publication in Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews, Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology by Thomas et al, “Informatics and standards for nanomedicine technology”70 Date March 2007 June 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October, 2007 February 2008 April 2008 June 2008 September 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 May 2009 June 2009 January 2010 March 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 February 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 October 2011 (Continued) International Journal of Nanomedicine 2012:7 submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com Dovepress 3879