This issue of Topics in Catalysis celebrates the successful completion termination of BIOTRAINS, an FP-7 funded Marie Curie Initial Training Network (MC-ITN).

Initiated and coordinated by Prof. Nicholas J. Turner and Dr. John Whittall, BIOTRAINS brought together a remarkable blend of outstanding research groups from all over Europe spanning chemistry, biology and engineering.

As stated in the original proposal, “the strategic objective of the BIOTRAINS network is (1) to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry and (2) to encourage the international competitiveness of the European knowledge based bio-economy.” The biocatalysed enantioselective transformations targeted within this network included oxidation, reduction and C–C bond forming reactions with an emphasis on industrial relevance.

ITN networks were implemented by the EU to recruit promising young researchers (Marie Curie Fellows) and to encourage and support their geographic mobility. Thanks to the dedication of eleven research groups and the active input and participation of biotech companies, early stage researcher (i.e. Ph.D. students) and experienced researchers (i.e. postdoctoral students) had the unique opportunity of spend a research placement in a complementary research setting.

Gratifyingly, more than half of all original publications resulting from the BIOTRAINS network include at least two partner laboratories as coauthors. This intellectual and geographic cross-fertilization is further reflected in the twelve contributions presented in this issue of Topics in Catalysis.

It remains to thank the EU FP-7 ITN funding scheme for their generous support without which the research presented herein would not have been possible.