EU support for Ukrainian life sciences
The COMBIOM (Strengthening cooperation in molecular biomedicine between EU and Ukraine) project developed a scientific network devoted to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer and degenerative diseases. Particular emphasis was given to possible links between these two pathologies. Eight Ukrainian research teams from the Instytut Molekulyarnoi Biologii i Genetyky nan Ukrainy (IMBG NASU) worked with two EU partner organisations. These were the Gustav Roussy Institute of oncology in France and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Poland, both leaders in the field of biomolecular medicine. The project encouraged scientists to publish their papers in world-renowned journals and share their experiences of working with foreign colleagues. It also held conferences and lectures and participated in exhibitions and round tables with the media to discuss the role of science in society. In addition, the consortium examined the needs of consumers of biomedical research – medical workers and patients. Support from EU partners will enable capacity building and IMBG NASU’s successful participation in European collaborative research. This will result in the widening of the European Research Area (ERA) and engage new participants in an increased number of projects. By providing greater opportunities and working conditions COMBIOM will enable young Ukrainian researchers to carry out high-level science in a well-resourced working environment. It is hoped that this will help to reverse the brain drain of scientific talent from the country. COMBIOM therefore successfully exploited research results in the area of biomedical research and improved medical approaches and the wellbeing of EU citizens.
Keywords
EU, operational network, COMBIOM, molecular biomedicine, capacity building, European Research Area
