Leading the Western Balkans in biotech
Considered one of the top 500 universities worldwide, the University of Belgrade in Serbia is looking at ways to enhance its profile, especially as the country seeks EU membership. The EU-funded project FCUB-ERA is helping one department become a centre of excellence in the Western Balkans. In particular, the project is integrating the Faculty of Chemistry into the European Research Area (ERA) and unlocking its full research potential through improved collaboration with exceptional EU institutions. Topics of cooperation include food chemistry, agriculture, environmental protection, molecular biotechnology and materials science, with a specific focus on food safety and health effects of food. FCUB-ERA is helping the Faculty acquire more sophisticated equipment and has already established a new proteomics facility boasting advanced protein purification and spectrometry capabilities. It has also upgraded equipment in molecular biotechnology, cell tissue culture and enzymology, in addition to purchasing a bioreactor. Beyond new equipment and facilities, the project is helping the Faculty hire more experienced researchers, embark on joint EU projects and access funding more easily. The results speak for themselves as the faculty has already entered into several high-level, EU-funded projects and has jointly published numerous prestigious articles, upgrading the quantity and quality of publications significantly. A new, dynamic website has been established to present research activities and facilities, with forums on highly engaging subjects such as food allergies. The Faculty's several workshops and strong presence in international conferences have only helped to boost the University's image on a regional and even global scale. Ever since national research budgets had all but disappeared in the region after the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, notable universities have been struggling to upgrade their facilities. With this project the University of Belgrade's chemistry department is set to become a top regional player in the relatively new fields of proteomics, metabolomics and molecular biotechnology.