There’s a new way for University of Iowa researchers to connect with colleagues and potential collaborators worldwide.

The UI announced it has made an academic expertise portal available called KNODE. The platform provides automated, searchable expertise methods and a range of integration options for connecting life-sciences faculty and experts in industry and academia. KNODE automatically generates and continuously updates expert profiles, allowing individual researchers, academic institutions, and companies to instantly find and share leading scientific knowledge.

The portal can be accessed here.

“We are excited that a potential external collaborator or researcher can use our new KNODE portal to instantly identify UI’s highest quality minds, versus a traditional referral process which could take weeks or months while missing key contacts,” says Jennifer Lassner, executive director in the Division of Sponsored Programs within the Office of Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the UI. “We see sponsored research as a collaborative endeavor where our faculty can excel. KNODE helps us keep track of the discoveries and expertise we have within our walls, while also providing a landing pad for those looking to explore innovative research through work with our university.”

KNODE is part of Enlight Biosciences LLC, which was created by PureTech Ventures in partnership with major pharmaceutical companies and academic supporters.

“The KNODE platform provides an entirely novel way of identifying individuals and networks with the right expertise to solve the world’s toughest scientific research problems,” says David Tharp, KNODE's head of business development.