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 Information

AEGIS-IMB

Grant agreement ID: 101086923

DOI

10.3030/101086923

EC signature date 19 October 2022

Start date 1 March 2023

End date 29 February 2028

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 2 498 990,00

EU contribution

€ 2 498 990,00

Coordinated by

ROUMEN TSANEV INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Bulgaria

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AEGIS-IMB (Advanced epigenetics studies to increase the research and innovations capacity of the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The global objective of the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IMB – BAS) 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 an ERA Chair holder.
The main objective of project “Advanced epigenetics studies to increase the research and innovations capacity of the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences” (AEGIS – IMB) is to achieve significant improvements in research and innovations capabilities of 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.

For the latest information, please visit https://imb-era.eu/en/.

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

So far a significant progress has been made in:
Defining the project management (WP1: Project management) through the development of a project management handbook, outlining the final management structures and procedures (D1.1 - Handbook, outlining management structures and procedures). Additionally, the initial version of a data management plan of AEGIS-IMB was settled (D1.2 - Data management plan), which will be updated at a later project implementation phase.

The establishment of the ERA Chair group was a multifaceted process, which initiated with the move of the ERA Chair holder to IMB (D2.1 - ERA Chair holder moved to IMB) and the formation of ERA Chair group (D2.4 - ERA Chair group formation) including the formation of a selection committee, positions advertisement and candidates’ applications selection, finalized with the ERA Chair team members recruitment (D2.2 - Work contracts with the ERA Chair team members). A major achievement was the defining of research topics, training, cooperation and outreach activities, as well as applicable administrative, legal and financial principles (D2.3 - Working principles and formation of the ERA Chair group).

In order to make the best use of project results, a plan for dissemination and exploitation of results was developed and taken in place (D6.1 - Plan of dissemination, exploitation and communication activities). It encompasses a strategy to involve target groups, define key messages and communication channels.

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)

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.