4 th Yearly Meeting of the Coordinators of the Centres of Excellence LIFE/MED

1. 4th Yearly Meeting of the Coordinators of the Centres of Excellence LIFE/MED Eva Syková

2. EU Centres of Excellence Bio-Med parallel Group ARICY Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus BIER Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biotechnology, Krakow, Poland BIOREGION-SZEGEDBiological Research Centre, HAS, Szeged, Hungary BLOODVESSELS Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Romania CEBIOLA Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania CENEXFOOD Inst. ofAnimal Reproduction and Food Research, PAS, Olsztyn, Poland DESMOL Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies,PAS, Lodz, Poland EMBEU Institute ofBiochemistry and Biophysics, PAS, Warsaw, Poland EURO-NEURO-NETWORKSInstitute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary EXCELLENT PLANT BIOTECH AgroBioInstitute, Sofia, Bulgaria GENEMILL Estonian Biocentre, Tartu, Estonia MEDIPRA Institute of Experimental Medicine, ASCR, Prague, Czech Republic STRESSNUTS Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, SAS, Bratislava, Slovakia

3. AgroBioInstitute, (ABI), Sofia, Bulgaria CoE Acronym: EXCELLENT PLANT BIOTECH Coordinators: Prof. Atanas Atanassov Dr. Ivan Atanassov “Promoting of sustainable and environment friendly agriculture through development, adoption and application of up to date biotechnology methods and know-how”

4. CoE Excellent Plant Biotech: years of expending research and networking capacity • 2000 Institute of Genetic Engineering (starting of CoE project) • 2001 AgroBioInstitute(extanding of agrobiotech applications) • 2002 new location of AgroBioInstitute (modern research facilities) • 2003 AgroBioTech Park (joining of reserach, training and business activities) • 2004Biotechnology Information Center and Genome Center (public relations, genomics and metabolomics)

5. Agricultural Research Institute, ARICY • Coordinator I. Papadopoulos • Engaged in applied and basic research in plant and animal production • Provide high quality scientific results, environmentally and socially sustainable

6. The genetic basis of Scrapie and the utilization of molecular techniquesfor its control in sheep 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 • The infection is associated with the PrP gene. • The allelomorph RR is associated with resistance to the disease. The onjective is to increase the frequency of resistant genotypes in the population. Polymorphic codon genotypes are: 171 Arg/Arg (lanes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and 171 Arg/Gln (lanes 4, 7)

7. Institute of Experimental MedicineAcademy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicMEDIPRA Coordinator: Professor Eva Syková Mission: • Basic research in neuroscience, genetic ecotoxicology, cell biology and molecular pharmacology. • Bridging the gap between basic research and clinical application.

8. European collaborations in MEDIPRA

9. Most important scientific results • Mechanisms underlying development, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, brain and spinal cord injury • Stem cell research, in vivo MR trackingof implanted stem cells using superparamagnetic nanoparticles • Propagation and controlled differentiation of human embryonic stem cells • Molecular epidemiological studies: Biomarkers of exposure to mutagens and carcinogens and the embryotoxicity of genotoxic compounds

10. Most important scientific results Clinical study Bone marrow stem cell implantation to treat spinal cord injury

11. Estonian Biocentre, GENEMILL • Main Mission: Basic and applied research in molecular medicine and humangenomics

12. HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INSTITUTE OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE BUDAPEST, HUNGRAY Euro-Neuro-Networks Prof. E. Sylvester Vizi Prof. Zsolt Liposits NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH CNS DRUG DEVELOPMENT HEALTHY SOCIETY

13. Bioregion-Szeged Regional Initiative for Improvement of Quality of Life throughResearch, Education, and Innovation in Molecular and Cell Biology Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Coordinator: Prof. DÉNES DUDITS Biological Research Center Hungarian Academy of Sciences Szeged, Hungary CoE: BIOREGION-Szeged

14. Training: schools, symposia • Bioinformatics: PL, HU • ITC lecture course and practicals (yearly) • Biophysics: • Molecular structures and dynamics of energy converting membranes (23.June-2.July 2001) 32 invited speakers from 11 European countries, the school was attended by 42 students from 11 European countries Biological Research Center Hungarian Academy of Sciences Szeged, Hungary CoE: BIOREGION-Szeged

15. Research deliverables • 15 work packages • More than 150 refereed publications • Outstanding activities • Plant cell and molecular biology • Nanobiotechnology Nitrogen fixing root nodules Molecular structure of the NORK protein Light-driven micromachinery produced and driven by light Biological Research Center Hungarian Academy of Sciences Szeged, Hungary CoE: BIOREGION-Szeged

16. Cell Biology and Lasers:Towards New TechnologiesCEBIOLA Coordinators: Prof. Benediktas Juodka Prof. Algis Piskarskas The mission of the center: to promote research, advanced studies and training in the field wherecell biology meets light technologies giving birth to diverse and ever-widening range of laser applications in life sciences Vilnius University, Lithuania

17. ALA-injection Accumulation Laser treatment Necrosis PHOTOSENSITIZED LASER TUMOUR THERAPY 700 patients treated successfully in Lithuania

18. LASERNET/LASERLAB-EUROPE LENS: Firenze, Italy ULF-FORTH: Iraklion, Greece LIF-LOA: Palaiseau, France LLC: Lund, Sweden LCVU: Amsterdam, Netherlands MBI: Berlin, Germany LULI: Palaiseau, France CLF: Chilton, England GSI: Darmstadt, Germany PALS: Prague, Czech Republic CEA: Saclay, France  TU Vienna: Vienna, Austria CEA: Bordeaux,  France  LRC VU: Vilnius, Lithuania CELIA: Bordeaux, France  CUSBO: Milano,  Italy http://www.lasernet-europe.de

19. Molecular Biotechnology - Integration of Education and ResearchBIERJagiellonian University, Faculty of BiotechnologyKrakow, Poland Main mission of the Centre BIER: Combining research and teaching of molecular biotechnology at the European level Co-ordinator: Professor Aleksander Koj

20. The most important scientific result (one selected from many): Substantial progress in understanding of molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance in plant cells: -- Elucidation of the effect of heavy metals on formation of photosynthetic apparatus; -- Description of the cyclic electron flow around photosystem II in overexcitation conditions with a special emphasis on cytochrome b559. The model showing photoreduction sites of cyt c in thylakoids under low and medium light intensity (black ‘cyt c’symbol) and occurring additionally at high light intensities (white ‘cyt c’symbol). The action sites of the used electron transport inhibitors are also shown.

21. The most important outcome of BIER activity: • International recognition of BIER as an expert teaching and research centre in molecular biotechnology • Promotion of the Institute of Molecular Biology to the Faculty of Biotechnology located on a new Campus and offering full curriculum in biotechnology

22. CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER,RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN FOOD AND HEALTHfor CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE CENEXFOOD Co-ordinator: Prof. Halina Kozłowska • Main mission: • training of young researchers in FOOD SCIENCE • promoting trans-border mobility • pan-European networking

23. From science to local scocieties Exceptionally good relationship between scientists form Olsztyn and Norwichled to start the process of twining of both cities (Sister Cities).

24. DESMOL – Designed Molecules and Macromolecules Their Assemblies and Biological Functions Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Łódź, Poland Coordinators: Professor Marian Mikołajczyk Professor Przemysław Kubisa about 130 researchers and PhD students involved Mission: - to combine the research activityandexpertise of research teams working in the area of heteroorganicchemistry, bioorganic chemistry and macromolecular science - to develop new interdisciplinary approaches to molecular and macromolecular engineering, aimed at manufacturing of new materials for applications in medicine and modern technology.

25. DESMOL – Designed Molecules and Macromolecules Their Assemblies and Biological Functions Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Łódź, Poland Most important scientific result: New biodegradable materials based on polymers with special topologies (star-polymers and their stereocomplexes) obtained from renewable sources (lactic acid) Those materials may serve as biodegradable comodity plastics or specialty materials for application in medicine. Melting temperature increases by 500C (wider range of application)

26. Centre of Excellencein Molecular BiotechnologyEMBEUCoordinator: Prof. Andrzej Rabczenko Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw, Poland Member of Ochota Campus Consortium

27. EMBEU achievementsselected from over 80 publications • Proteomics study resulting in identification of new markers for Alzheimer’s disease • Novel inhibitors of HCV helicase • Application of comparative genomics for identification of new protein targets to fight malaria • New technology to use protease inhibitors in drug protection (patented) • Genomics of clinically relevant plasmids

28. EMBEU activity • Exchange visits • Organization of conferences, numerous workshops and courses • Networking other CoEs (Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland) • Inducing 4 new CoEs in our campus • Promotion of the European cooperation resulting in 15 FP5 and FP6 projects • Establishment of FP5 Marie Curie Training Site – Education and Research in Molecular Biology

29. ROMANIAN ACADEMY Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” Member of UNESCO Global Network for Molecular and Cell Biology Center of Excellence:“Blood Vessels” Title of the project Function and dysfunction of blood vessels: transcytosis in normal/pathological states, alterations in atherosclerosis and diabetes; their therapeutic control Coordinator:Dr. Maya Simionescu Research Program Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms occurring in the normal vessels, and the alterations of the arterial wall leading to the cardiovascular diseases Our Credo : “Cellular and Molecular Biology for the Benefit of Human Health”

30.  EC depend relaxation • = Structure • Arterial pressure • Atherosclerosis Pharmacological Modulation of Endothelial Cell Function The effect of drugs on the cells of the vascular wall • Anti-atherogenic drugs effects • tested on the hyperlipemic and/or hyperglycemic hamster: • statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin); • calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, amlodipine); • ACE inhibitors (enalapril, captopril); • anti-thrombotic (enoxaparin, aspirin); • vitamins (E and C); • L-Arginine; • "intelligent liposomes" for an efficient drug delivery.

31. STRESSNUTSInstitute of Experimental EndocrinologySlovak Academy of SciencesBratislava, Slovakia Coordinator: Assoc.Prof. Daniela Ježová Main „mission” of this Centre To provide experimental and clinicaldata leading to specific recommendations aimed atreducingthe negative impact of environmental factors on human health

32. placebo lamotrigine Most important scientific result (one selected from many) STRESSNUTS Evidence has been obtained to support further clinical research on the following substances to modulate hormone release and treat the negative impact of demanding stressful situations, anxiety and depression: mood stabilizers extract of Ginkgo biloba pentoxifylline antidepressants selected amino acids

33. In all EU Centers of excellence the program has greatly contributedtowards: • Mobility of scientists • Exchange of experience and know-how • Training at all levels • Through networking and twinning, excellent co-operation has been realized • Consortiums of scientists and institutions for joint projects for the 6th FP have been established

34. Most important outcomes of the CoE programme: • Increased international recognition of the Institutes • Participation of scientists in the 5th and 6th FP • Success in obtaining national and international funding • Expansion of the Institutes • Strengthened collaborationin EU • Start of clinical studies based on research conducted in the CoE • Appointment of several outstanding young researchers • Increased quality of scientific results and of publications • New training activities, teaching courses • Public lectures and press conferences

35. CoE Projects - bridge to the EU • The program has undoubtedly fulfilled its purposes. It has contributed immensely towards the spirit of co-operation and exchange of scientific information between the scientific community • This indisputable fact should be further promoted and supported (morally and financially) by engaging in similar programs for the benefit of the peoples of the new members of the United Europe