Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for initiating cancer, and are therefore highly sought for therapeutic target. Unfortunately, CSCs are a minority among tumour cells, and highly resistant to conventional treatments. Breast cancer CSCs express CD44, a unique membrane receptor,and can thus be specifically targeted. NANOSTEM will develop drug delivery systems that will specifically target CD44-expressing CSCs, enter the cells and release a chemotherapeutic drug, thus selectively killing the tumorigenic cell. The project will use model animals to evaluate the therapeutic potential and toxicity of each system

The BTR program with 15,000 m2 of clean room facilities distributed in seven national facilities and a task force of about 400 researchers brings a strong support to the R&D activities in micro & nanotechnologies, from basic research to industrial applications. BTR program is a key pillar of the National Strategy in Research and Innovation (SNRI) as a national research infrastructure. The BTR program turns out to be one key enabler allowing France to maintain its position in the field of nanotechnologies. It plays a major role: • In advanced technological positioning in the fields of the future such as nanoelectronics, photonics, spintronics, and micro- and nanosystems, by making possible the development of new concepts, materials, devices and systems, • In the economy of research in micro- and nanotechnology in France, by focussing the purchase of key equipments on selected research infrastructures working in network mode to the benefit of the academic and industrial communities. • As a lever effect in Europe, by bringing about a significant increase in the success rate within the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (PCRD), the technological credibility of the teams being strengthened by access to cutting-edge nanomanufacturing platforms and technologically advanced demonstrators.

In 2003, the French Ministry of Research expressed the need for a national initiative in nanosciences and nanotechnologies in order to increase the competitiveness of the national research community in this field. Indeed, it is generally accepted that the ability to model, image, manipulate matter at micro and nanoscale is leading to new technologies that impact many sectors of the economy including information and communications, healthcare, transportations, energy and security. The Ministry launched with the “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)” and the “Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA2)”, a dedicated programme entitled A national network of large technological facilities and Basic Technological Research in micro and nanotechnologies to be named as the RTB programme throughout this document. The RTB programme covered three main fields: -The development of competitive clean-room infrastructures, able to provide the support and technologies needed for the national research activities of the national community in the field of micro and nanotechnologies; -The training of PhDs and post-docs in technological facilities; -The production of IP activity in nanotechnology for future exploitation through industry. It involves a network of 6 academic (CNRS and universities) facilities distributed over France belonging to the “RENATECH” network (www.renatech.org) and associated to a large facility, CEA-Leti (www.leti.fr), located in Grenoble and dedicated to technological developments targeting transfer to industry. Mainly supported by an investment plan, the results of the RTB programme are reviewed each year by an international panel on the basis of the leverage for the scientific and industrial community and the progress of the networking activity.

In 2003, the French Ministry of Research expressed the need for a national initiative in nanosciences and nanotechnologies in order to increase the competitiveness of the national research community in this field. Indeed, it is generally accepted that the ability to model, image, manipulate matter at micro and nanoscale is leading to new technologies that impact many sectors of the economy including information and communications, healthcare, transportations, energy and security. The Ministry launched with the “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)” and the “Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA2)”, a dedicated programme entitled A national network of large technological facilities and Basic Technological Research in micro and nanotechnologies to be named as the RTB programme throughout this document. The RTB programme covered three main fields: -The development of competitive clean-room infrastructures, able to provide the support and technologies needed for the national research activities of the national community in the field of micro and nanotechnologies; -The training of PhDs and post-docs in technological facilities; -The production of IP activity in nanotechnology for future exploitation through industry. It involves a network of 6 academic (CNRS and universities) facilities distributed over France belonging to the “RENATECH” network (www.renatech.org) and associated to a large facility, CEA-Leti (www.leti.fr), located in Grenoble and dedicated to technological developments targeting transfer to industry. Mainly supported by an investment plan, the results of the RTB programme are reviewed each year by an international panel on the basis of the leverage for the scientific and industrial community and the progress of the networking activity.