COMBIOM FP7 Project

COMBIOM activities and achievements: http://www.combiom-fp7.org

Strengthening Cooperation in Molecular Biomedicine between EU and Ukraine (COMBIOM)

Project Reference: 294932
Research area: INCO.2011-6.1 (ERA-WIDE)
Contract Type: Coordination and support action
Start Date: 01/12/2011
Duration: 36 months
Project Cost: 510.840 €
Project Funding: 455.499 €

Organisation: Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Co-ordinator: Prof.Anna Elskaya
Project Manager: Dr.Yanina Mishchuk

The objectives of the project are as follows:
• to enhance the involvement of Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG) researchers into ERA in frames of EU-Ukraine mutual interests, especially in biomedical research, and to create a core consortium for future FP7 collaborative projects;
• to increase cooperation capacities of IMBG as a promising partner in EU research programmes;
• to prove the achievements and high potential of Ukrainian biomedical research to ERA and to accommodate it to European research priorities.

Description:
Ukraine is one of the largest and closest EU neighbours with high potential for scientific and technological development. This project is devoted to the development of the operational network of EU and Ukrainian scientists based on the different approaches to solve the problem of deciphering the molecular mechanisms of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, with the special emphasis on the possible links between these two pathologies. The Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG) is one of the leading research institutions in molecular biomedicine, oncogenomics and gene technologies in Ukraine. It can carry out even higher quality investigations aimed at searching for effective diagnostics and therapy of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases, which could be implemented for all European citizens.

The overall strategy of COMBIOM puts 3 ERA-WIDE Activities of International Cooperation into practice and will be realized via the activities described in 5 Work Packages as follows.

There are two EU partners in this consortium, which are scientifically well recognized in their countries as well as in Europe, and which are experienced in running projects of Framework Programs 5, 6 and 7. The French partner, IGR, consists of groups focused on molecular and cellular aspects of lymphomas, namely Mantle Cell lymphoma and Burkitt Lymphoma, and neuromuscular disorders such as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). The Polish partner, IIMCB, similarly to the Ukrainian partner, consists of groups working on several aspects of molecular biomedicine including neurodegeneration and oncology. Both IGR and IIMCB are not new partners for IMBG. There are many years of scientific relations: exchange visits, joint conferences, workshops, collaborative project, which are described in detail below. To extend the existing links and to upgrade them, several mutual visits between the EU-Ukrainian research groups in order to learn more about the partners scientific expertise, strengths, research models, and specific projects are planned as the activities of Work Package (WP)1 in years 1-3 of COMBIOM fulfilment. The IMBG group leaders will be in charge of ensuring the most fruitful scientific exchange as described in WP1, and of reflecting the results in the reports. By involving EU and Ukrainian partner’s groups in development of common biomedical research strategy we can address the scientific aims of the project in setting up joint experiments using different methodologies and approaches.
In WP2 the EU partners will develop special training programmes, which will help the Coordinator to build its competency in applying and running the project. For this purpose the well experienced members of the International Collaboration Unit of the Polish partner will provide IMBG staff with trainings on FP7 participation rules and conditions as well as successful proposal writing. Besides, the complementary courses will be organized for IMBG scientists and administrators focusing on the intellectual property, technology exchange ethical issues etc.
WP3 describes the development stages of IMBG research strategy in molecular biomedicine area. These stages should lead to a close correlation with ERA research priorities and increased research capacities due to intensification of international cooperation, and as a result, to enhanced participation in EC Cooperative research programmes. Strengthening IMBG competitiveness in corresponding research area will be an example for Ukrainian stakeholders of successful involvement in ERA improving IMBG responses to the socio-economic needs of Ukraine.
WP4 is devoted to dissemination of the project results and sharing of scientific knowledge. Several actions aimed at increasing of IMBG visibility are planned such as creation of the project website, updating of the Institute website, printing of the project booklets and leaflets, popularization of the research results by lectures and 2 round tables with mass-media.
WP5 is concentrated on the project management matters with accent on the leading role of IMBG in COMBIOM successful implementation.

A clear organization structure will facilitate the project management. WP Leaders together with the Project Manager will compose the Project Management Committee (PMC) which will be headed by the Project Coordinator. This Committee will have the meeting every half year in purpose of reviewing the project progress, and will make decisions on the project implementation/development in line with the original objectives. Besides, IMBG Advisory Board involving internationally well-recognized scientists and independent S&T policy experts will be specially created for supervising the IMBG Biomed Research Strategy development.

Partners:
1. Gustave Roussy Institute of Oncology, France (http://www.igr.fr/?p_id=714)
2. International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poland (http://www.iimcb.gov.pl/)

Final Scientific Meeting - April 16-17, 2015

Final Scientific Meeting "EUROPEAN INTEGRATION STRATEGY FOR THE UKRAINIAN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE: THE COMBIOM EXPERIENCE" under the FP7 EU Project "Strengthening Cooperation in Molecular Biomedicine between EU and Ukraine” (COMBIOM) is planned in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 16-17, 2015.

The objectives of the Final Scientific Meeting are:

  • to summarize the project’s results
  • to establish the Strategy of further EU-Ukraine collaboration in biomedicine.
  • Presentations of the Biomed Strategy, the Joint research programs on molecular biomedicine and perspectives of further scientific collaboration between COMBIOM partners in the frames of future HORIZON 2020 projects will be the key issues of the meeting.