Supporting Polish research potential
The IAR&FR is the leading research body in eastern Poland and the country's premier research institute. It is also an EU Centre of Excellence. In order to maintain its position as an engine for innovation in the region, the Institute took on new expert staff members and acquired new state-of-the-art research equipment. New additions were made possible thanks to the REFRESH (Unlocking potential of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research for reinforced ERA integration and regional development) project, funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The initiative focused specifically on the research areas of food, biodiversity and health. Two managers and six experienced researchers were recruited. Three of the researchers were experts in health issues, two of them specialising in obesity. This led to the establishment of a new research project called WELCOME (Nutrition and ambient temperature during early development can reduce susceptibility to obesity). This study resulted in the appointment of an international team. It comprised four postdoctorate researchers, six PhD students, three research associates and four undergraduate students. Provision of new equipment enabled the research team to remain competitive. To date, REFRESH has enabled the purchase of systems for monitoring continuous changes in food and water intake and the body weight of mice. A total of 105 research staff participated in training courses in the field of specialised software and operation of the new equipment. A number of workshops, seminars and exchange programmes with leading European institutes contributed to the exchange of knowledge and to capacity building. This also resulted in several bilateral research partnerships. Dissemination activities played a key role in raising the visibility of the institute and the success of REFRESH projects. These activities included a project website, the use of social media, press releases, media coverage, and output from conferences and workshop activities. They addressed policymakers, industrial partners, scientists and the general public. IAR&FR organised and participated in local and national science festivals and open days to enhance public understanding of the Institute's research activities and to promote scientific careers among young people. The Institute's scientists were invited as experts to address issues of public concern during radio broadcasts and their research was presented in popular science programmes on TV.
Keywords
Animal reproduction, food research, regional development, biodiversity, health
