RNA and Cell Biology - from Fundamental Research to Therapies

Project Information

RACE

Grant agreement ID: 101059801

DOI

10.3030/101059801

EC signature date 26 April 2023

Start date 1 September 2023

End date 31 August 2029

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 13 122 258,75

EU contribution

€ 13 122 258,75

Coordinated by

MIEDZYNARODOWY INSTYTUT BIOLOGII MOLEKULARNEJ I KOMORKOWEJ W WARSZAWIE
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RACE (RNA and Cell Biology - from Fundamental Research to Therapies)

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The RACE project — RNA and Cell Biology – From Fundamental Research to Therapies — was initiated to elevate the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB) to the status of a world-class Centre of Excellence in RNA and cell biology. Although Poland has seen notable growth in scientific output, its ability to translate fundamental research into clinical and commercial applications remains limited. RACE addresses this gap by creating a robust ecosystem of research excellence, advanced infrastructure, and entrepreneurial culture.

With the support of Advanced Partners — the University of Edinburgh and VIB (Belgium) — RACE aims to build translational capacity in Poland, focusing on five strategic objectives:
(1) recruitment of outstanding research group leaders,
(2) advanced training for early-career researchers,
(3) development of modern, sustainable core facilities,
(4) institutionalisation of technology transfer practices, and
(5) enhancement of administrative and strategic capacities.
These pillars are designed to synergistically transform IIMCB into a leading institute for biomedical innovation, contributing to EU leadership in RNA-based therapeutics and cellular biology.

Expected impacts include improved biomedical research outputs, strengthened EU-wide collaborations, increased capacity to attract competitive funding, and acceleration of innovation pathways from the lab to real-world applications — especially in areas where medical needs remain unmet.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first 18 moonths of the project, RACE made significant progress across all work packages. Two new research groups focusing on RNA viruses and proteostasis were established. Their leaders have already secured prestigious external funding and initiated their own teams. Three targeted recruitments for group leader position— including in computational and structural biology — are ongoing.

Strategic training initiatives were co-designed with Advanced Partners and delivered through over 100 participations in 23 training events. First research stay of IIMCB PhD student at UEDIN lab was performed. A joint MSc programme in Biological Therapeutics — the first of its kind in Poland — was developed in collaboration with the University of Warsaw, aimed at addressing the declining interest in scientific careers and improving early-stage talent pipelines.

Core Facility development has progressed substantially. Two new facilities — Bioinformatics and Mass Spectrometry — were launched, while two others — Cell Models & Organoids and Genomics — are currently in the planning phase, with their establishment strategies under active reassessment following challenges in recruitment and alignment with institutional needs. Infrastructure funding exceeding €16 million was secured through National Recovery Plan, and 17 high-end research instruments have already been procured. Operational procedures, career paths for technical staff, and financial planning models were established in close consultation with VIB experts.

The RACE Technology Incubator was launched with the recruitment of a dedicated Technology Transfer Manager and Innovation Specialist. Intensive training secondments at VIB are underway, and an institutional Exploitation Strategy is being finalized to embed sustainable commercialization practices.

Administrative modernization also advanced. Surveys, external consultations, and targeted workshops have laid the foundation for long-term improvements in human resources, strategic planning, and institutional culture.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

RACE’s key innovations extend well beyond standard institutional development. The recruitment strategy has pioneered inclusive, domain-specific methods for evaluating candidates in competitive fields like computational biology. By involving international advisory groups and leveraging global networks, RACE has improved diversity and relevance in talent acquisition.

The IN-MOL-CELL infrastructure sets new benchmarks for integrated, multi-platform core facilities in Poland. It not only serves internal research needs but is also designed for long-term sustainability and commercial viability. Unique offerings — such as national-only cryo-EM structural biology and CRISPR/Cas9 mouse model services — place IIMCB at the forefront of regional research infrastructure.

Technology transfer activities have been embedded through institutional transformation, not isolated interventions. The Incubator model is scalable and supported by high-level training, mentoring, and early stakeholder engagement. This positions IIMCB to exploit scientific results effectively and engage with industry.

To ensure full uptake of these innovations, further steps will include additional staff recruitment, continuous international benchmarking, demonstration activities for commercial services, and expanded participation in international consortia.

Study visit of IIMCB administration to the RACE Partner, MRC-HGU, University of Edinburgh

Media presence: examples of communication activities

Examples of views of the RACE project website www.iimcb.gov.pl/en/race/

Minister Andrzej Szeptycki, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education met

The official inauguration of the Horizon Europe Teaming for Excellence: RACE project, January 10, 20

The IIMCB delegation at VIB, 13.05.2024.

Promoting services of the Core Facilities

In Search of Synergy between Industry and Academia: Industry Day at IIMCB, October 8, 2024.

Strategic scientific meeting for IIMCB & UDEIN Group Leaders, 5-6 February 2024.

Examples of views of the RACE project website www.iimcb.gov.pl/en/race/

First research exchange of IIMCB staff at UEDIN: Agnieszka Bolembach, a PhD student from the Michlew