Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GLYCOTwinning (GLYCOTwinning: Building Networks to Excel in Glycosciences)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-02-29
Glycoscience is a multidisciplinary research area focusing on the role of glycans in health and disease. The field is expanding rapidly worldwide, driving innovation in biomedical sciences and becoming an essential part of modern science, including medicine, and providing bases for understanding human diseases and tools for personalized medicine. GLYCOTwinning is a capacity-building network with the ambitious goal of providing a breakthrough in the research of the UCIBIO-NOVA, and achieve excellence through synergies with top-class partners: IMPERIAL, LUMC and CICbioGUNE. GLYCOTwinning aims to i) Promote scientific excellence and innovation in Glycoscience; ii) Empower researchers’ capacity and creativity; iii) Strengthen research management and administration skills; iv) Raise dissemination; v) Boost reputation, research profile and attractiveness. GLYCOTwinning brings synergy and multidisciplinary in cutting-edge scientific methodologies: glycan microarrays, advanced electrophoresis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR, to decode sugar recognition by glycan-binding proteins involved in disease. Through GLYCOTwinning, UCIBIO-NOVA reinforces its research capacity, expanding its current R&D+I profile to dissect glycan-protein interactions, from the atomic and molecular levels to the cellular context, boosting the development of innovative glycan-based tools, diagnosis, and therapies. Furthermore, GLYCOTwinning integrates its objectives in a project that explores glycan-protein interactions of the human microbiome in colorectal cancer, validating a GLYCOTwinning ToolBox, creating new knowledge, innovation and opening new research avenues for the widest dissemination and exploitation, with long term scientific and societal impact.
GLYCOTwinning aligned its activities with the Grant Agreement and achieved significant milestones with partner institutions in the initial phase of the project as per the project objectives (O).
O1: Promoting scientific excellence in Glycoscience
NOVA has collaborated with partner institutions to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration. Physical and virtual networking events, training courses, and mentoring activities were organized, enhancing the expertise of researchers and technicians. These include Kick Off Meeting, International Workshop, Annual Scientific Network Meeting, and online seminars for Doctoral Candidates.
O2: Training the next generation of researchers
Diverse training courses and mentoring initiatives were implemented, such as expert visits, Short-Term Scientific Exchanges (STScE), online seminars, and workshops, that equipped researchers with multidisciplinary skills. Notably, several DCs completed their PhD alongside MSc students, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals in Glycoscience.
O3: Empowering administrative and financial staff
Tutorial sessions have been conducted to empower NOVA administrative and financial staff. These sessions have been instrumental in developing essential management tools, including the data management plan, and enhancing the proficiency of NOVA staff and ensuring compliance with project guidelines and deadlines.
O4: Efficient dissemination of results
The consortium has established an efficient communication platform, including websites, social media, newsletters, and outreach activities. They also promoted their project in scientific events to increase visibility and impact in the Glycoscience community.
O5: Enhancing consortium reputation and profile
NOVA improved its reputation and profile through various initiatives. It launched a public website and engaged with its audience through social media. The consortium's recognition grew as it participated in global infrastructures, meetings, and workshops, furthering its objectives.
In summary, the project has made notable contributions towards promoting scientific excellence in Glycoscience and empowering the next generation of NOVA researchers, and non-researchers.
O1: Promoting scientific excellence in Glycoscience
NOVA has collaborated with partner institutions to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration. Physical and virtual networking events, training courses, and mentoring activities were organized, enhancing the expertise of researchers and technicians. These include Kick Off Meeting, International Workshop, Annual Scientific Network Meeting, and online seminars for Doctoral Candidates.
O2: Training the next generation of researchers
Diverse training courses and mentoring initiatives were implemented, such as expert visits, Short-Term Scientific Exchanges (STScE), online seminars, and workshops, that equipped researchers with multidisciplinary skills. Notably, several DCs completed their PhD alongside MSc students, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals in Glycoscience.
O3: Empowering administrative and financial staff
Tutorial sessions have been conducted to empower NOVA administrative and financial staff. These sessions have been instrumental in developing essential management tools, including the data management plan, and enhancing the proficiency of NOVA staff and ensuring compliance with project guidelines and deadlines.
O4: Efficient dissemination of results
The consortium has established an efficient communication platform, including websites, social media, newsletters, and outreach activities. They also promoted their project in scientific events to increase visibility and impact in the Glycoscience community.
O5: Enhancing consortium reputation and profile
NOVA improved its reputation and profile through various initiatives. It launched a public website and engaged with its audience through social media. The consortium's recognition grew as it participated in global infrastructures, meetings, and workshops, furthering its objectives.
In summary, the project has made notable contributions towards promoting scientific excellence in Glycoscience and empowering the next generation of NOVA researchers, and non-researchers.
The results and potential impacts of the GLYCOTwinning project extend beyond science, encompassing societal, economic, and technological dimensions.
The GLYCOTwinning project has made significant advancements by focusing on Glycoscience, which holds the promise of new disease biomarkers and therapeutics.
The extensive training and mentoring activities have enhanced the skills and expertise of researchers, technicians, and administrative staff. This capacity building fosters and expands an ecosystem for Glycoscience research and innovation.
The establishment of collaborative networks through events has facilitated knowledge and resource exchange, and synergistic research efforts. These networks enhance the quality and impact of research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
The communication and dissemination activities have increased awareness and visibility of Glycoscience research among diverse stakeholders, including the industry partners and the general public. This outreach effort promotes knowledge transfer and may foster future collaborations and investments.
To fully realize the potential of research outcomes, further efforts may be needed to facilitate commercialization and access to markets of our GLYCOToolbox. This may involve technology transfer initiatives, industry partnerships, and support for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Since ensuring adequate protection of intellectual property is essential for securing future investment, the project seeks support in patenting strategies and licensing agreements.
Continued efforts are planned to forge partnerships with international institutions and networks, leveraging international funding opportunities.
The GLYCOTwinning project has made significant advancements by focusing on Glycoscience, which holds the promise of new disease biomarkers and therapeutics.
The extensive training and mentoring activities have enhanced the skills and expertise of researchers, technicians, and administrative staff. This capacity building fosters and expands an ecosystem for Glycoscience research and innovation.
The establishment of collaborative networks through events has facilitated knowledge and resource exchange, and synergistic research efforts. These networks enhance the quality and impact of research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
The communication and dissemination activities have increased awareness and visibility of Glycoscience research among diverse stakeholders, including the industry partners and the general public. This outreach effort promotes knowledge transfer and may foster future collaborations and investments.
To fully realize the potential of research outcomes, further efforts may be needed to facilitate commercialization and access to markets of our GLYCOToolbox. This may involve technology transfer initiatives, industry partnerships, and support for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Since ensuring adequate protection of intellectual property is essential for securing future investment, the project seeks support in patenting strategies and licensing agreements.
Continued efforts are planned to forge partnerships with international institutions and networks, leveraging international funding opportunities.