The LightDyNAmics consortium is happy to announce the first peer-reviewed publication by ESR Davide Avagliano (UNIVIE). The journal article titled "DNA-binding mechanism of spiropyran photoswitches: the role of electrostatics" was published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics and is accessible through open access.

The LightDyNAmics has successfully been held from 21 - 25 January 2019 at the Institute for Biostructures and Bioimaging (CNR) in Naples, Italy. The ESRs got to meet each other for the first time and over five days they were introduced to the field of light/soft-matter interaction, basic principles of genetics, DNA and RNA structure through a mix of lectures and exercises. 
The ESRs themselves presented their research topic to the consortium. The programme was complemented with a guided tour through the historical centre of Naples.
The next chance to meet for the LightDyNamic networt will be the first LightDyNamic week in June 2019.

So far, nine of the total 15 LightDyNAmics ESRs have started their positions with the respective Beneficiaries. The ESRs will spend a total of three years on the project and will get trained in the area of light/soft-matter interaction. Apart from the training they receive through their local research projects, each ESR will also be enrolled in a PhD programme. Through the network-wide training events, the ESRs will receive multidisciplinary scientific training and acquire transferable and business skills. Read more about the training the LightDyNAmics ESRs will receive in the Training section.

LightDyNAmics has officially started on 1 April 2018. The project will be coordinated by Dr. Roberto Improta of the Consiglio Nazionale dell Ricerche in Naples, Italy. The project includes 13 Beneficiaries from eight European Countries. The European Training Network will offer 15 PhD positions in the field of light/soft-matter interaction.

The LightDyNamic kick-off meeting was held on the 22 January 2018 online. The meeting took approximately two hours and the following content has been discussed:

• Q & A about the Grant Agreement
• Mobillity and recruitment of the ESR's
• Dissemination and Communication Tasks
• Requirements from the EU
• Overview of the scientific work packages

The first time the consortium and the ESR's are going to meet face-to-face in during the introduction week in January 2019.