Molecular bioscience research in Croatia gets a boost from the EU
The EU-funded INNOMOL (Enhancement of the innovation potential in SEE through new molecular solutions in research and development) initiative fostered a research pipeline at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) in Croatia. The scope was to facilitate new avenues of innovation and technology for the investigation of relevant diseases. Through the establishment of a centre of excellence, INNOMOL sought to bridge the gap between research and valorisation of innovative products. Among the objectives of the initiative was to unlock and develop the research potential of RBI and render it a dynamic leader in molecular bioscience research in south-eastern Europe (SEE). For this purpose, RBI recruited seven experts in the fields of medicine, biology and chemistry. New resources and equipment were purchased to complement the existing scientific platforms of genomics, proteomics and imaging. A significant part of the project involved networking with EU partners to strengthen RBI research and participation in research activities at the community level. RBI researchers and collaborators submitted a Horizon 2020 project proposal. Further input from EU partners contributed to an intellectual property management plan and helped build a framework for innovation capacity. Dissemination activities included media appearances, press releases, posters and presentations at numerous events. Taken together, INNOMOL efforts will upgrade the research and technology capacity of RBI and help it get established in molecular bioscience research. They will also help forge strategic partnerships between RBI and appropriate enterprises, thereby contributing to the translation of research findings into marketable services and products. RBI technology can help create more jobs for scientists such as bioinformaticians and data analysts, as well as for experts in product development, molecular biology and biochemistry.