LABORATORIO EUROPEO DI SPETTROSCOPIE NON LINEARI

Their core work

LENS is a European laser research laboratory based near Florence, Italy, specializing in advanced laser spectroscopy, photonics, and quantum physics experiments. Within H2020, they are a core contributor to the Human Brain Project, providing numerical simulation and neuroinformatics capabilities across three successive grant agreements. They also operate as a transnational access facility within the LASERLAB-EUROPE infrastructure network, offering European researchers access to advanced laser systems for applications in biomedical optics, materials science, and high-field physics. More recently, they have expanded into drug delivery research, applying their simulation expertise to nose-to-brain pharmaceutical formulations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015-2018), LENS focused on its traditional laser physics strengths — quantum simulation (QUIC), laser infrastructure (LASERLAB-EUROPE), and entered the Human Brain Project as a simulation partner. From 2019 onward, the brain simulation work deepened across successive HBP phases while a new drug delivery line emerged through N2B-patch and Bio2Brain, applying their numerical simulation capabilities to pharmaceutical formulations. This pivot toward biomedical applications — combining physics simulation with drug delivery — represents a deliberate expansion from pure physics into translational health research.

LENS is moving from fundamental physics toward biomedical applications, using their simulation and optics expertise as a bridge into neuroscience and pharmaceutical development.

How they like to work

LENS operates almost exclusively as a specialist partner (10 of 11 projects), contributing specific technical capabilities — simulation, laser spectroscopy, optics — to large consortia. Their single coordinator role (QUIC) was a focused quantum physics project. With 205 unique partners across 27 countries, they are a well-connected hub that works with different groups across diverse projects rather than repeatedly with the same partners, making them adaptable and easy to integrate into new consortia.

LENS has collaborated with 205 distinct partners across 27 countries, reflecting broad pan-European reach built primarily through the large Human Brain Project and LASERLAB-EUROPE consortia. Their network spans both fundamental research institutions and applied biomedical groups.

What sets them apart

LENS sits at a rare intersection of advanced laser physics, computational neuroscience, and emerging drug delivery simulation — few organizations in Europe can bridge all three. Their dual role as a transnational laser access facility and a Human Brain Project partner means they bring both physical experimental infrastructure and high-level simulation capabilities. For consortium builders, LENS offers a versatile partner that can contribute optics, simulation, or imaging expertise depending on the project's needs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HBP SGA1
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.48M) as part of the flagship Human Brain Project — LENS's biggest and most prestigious engagement.
• QUIC
  LENS's only coordinator role in H2020, a focused quantum simulation project demonstrating independent research leadership.
• Bio2Brain
  Most recent project (2021-2024), signaling LENS's strategic expansion into nose-to-brain drug delivery using their simulation capabilities.