Advanced epigenetics studies to increase the research and innovations capacity of the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Project description

Increasing research excellence in epigenetics in Bulgaria

The Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB-BAS), Bulgaria, envisages developing its specialisation in epigenetics and chromatin biology towards world-class research excellence. The EU-funded AEGIS-IMB project will improve the research and innovation capabilities of the IMB-BAS through the transfer of knowledge, focusing on PhD students and young postdocs to provide for sustainable growth of IMB-BAS and reduce brain drain. AEGIS-IMB will increase research quality standards and improve conditions for cooperative work and capability for competitive international research funding by the ERA Chair. The project will contribute to the development of the national R&D sector and help integrate IMB-BAS within the international network of researchers in epigenetics.

Objective

"The global objective of the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology is to develop its traditionally strong focus on epigenetics and chromatin biology towards a world-class level of research excellence.
Our Institute has identified Prof. Stefan Dimitrov - a top level scientist and an internationally recognised expert in the field of epigenetics -as a prospective ERA Chair holder.
We intend to achieve significant improvements in research and innovations capabilities of the IMB-BAS in the area of the Institute's long term specialisation, producing a clear impact on publication quality and newly acquired knowledge with translational potential.
This should be achieved by:
- Transfer of knowledge with a major focus on PhD students and young postdocs to provide for sustainable growth of IMB-BAS and reduce the ""brain drain"";
- Raising the standards of research quality;
- Improving conditions for cooperative work;
- Improved capability to obtain competitive international research funding both by the ERA Chair and the rest of IMB scientists;
- Translational potential: reinvigorating research will create the conditions for better innovation the findings in epigenetics directly concern mechanisms of pathogenesis;
The project's implementation will also contribute in an important way to developing the national R&D sector and smart specialisation strategies.
At the International level, establishing the ERA Chair holder group at IMB will help integrate the Institute with an international network of researchers in epigenetics.
The project implementation is expected to have positive impact on: institutional reforms, use of existing research infrastructures, increased international research collaboration, attractiveness to excellent talents, better circulation of knowledge and expertise including between sectors, contribute to Bulgaria’s Research and Innovation Strategies."