Over the first three years of implementation (M1–M36), AEGIS-IMB has made substantial and measurable progress across all dimensions of its work programme — advancing scientific research, building human capital, reforming institutional structures, and strengthening international cooperation.
Establishing and operating the ERA Chair research group
The ERA Chair research group was established through an international, merit-based recruitment process. It brings together senior researchers across complementary disciplines — molecular genetics, chromatin biochemistry, structural biology, and computational biology — alongside doctoral students working on the project's core research topics. The group has undergone planned personnel changes, with new recruits selected through open competition to match the evolving needs of the research programme. It continues to attract researchers returning to Bulgaria from positions abroad, directly contributing to the project's brain drain reversal goal.
Scientific research programme
Three core research topics address rare diseases caused by chromatin dysfunction. Work on Rett syndrome investigates how disease-causing mutations alter chromatin structure and gene regulation at the molecular level. Work on Rahman syndrome has produced cellular disease models using genome editing technology, enabling controlled study of how patient-equivalent mutations disrupt genome organisation and gene expression. Work on SOXopathies has revealed the molecular mechanism by which a key family of developmental transcription factors interacts with chromatin, clarifying why disease-causing mutations disrupt normal development.
Additional research lines were launched during the second reporting period, expanding the group's work into further rare and complex diseases linked to chromatin dysfunction. These new directions have already yielded published results. Across the project, multiple open-access peer-reviewed publications have appeared in leading international journals, with further manuscripts under review. All outputs are freely accessible in compliance with Horizon Europe Open Science requirements.
Building research capacity and human capital
A broad programme of technical and scientific training has been delivered throughout the project, covering advanced laboratory techniques, computational methods, and scientific communication. The group co-organised an international summer school attended by researchers from across Europe, and doctoral students have presented their work at interdisciplinary forums. Internal activities — including seminars, journal clubs, manuscript peer review, and a bioinformatics data club — have strengthened scientific culture and mentoring at the institute. More than ten additional IMB researchers have been integrated as affiliated groups, expanding the project's reach and contributing to joint outputs and grant applications.
Institutional reforms
IMB received the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission. A new Strategic Development Plan was adopted, setting measurable targets aligned with national and European research priorities. A formal framework for intellectual property protection and commercialisation was established, including provisions for spin-off creation. Administrative capacity was strengthened through targeted training, and gender equality measures continue to be implemented across the institute.
Cooperation and funding
A landmark achievement was securing approximately €30 million in national funding for a new Biomedical Research and Technology Centre, developed in partnership with two leading European research institutions and previously recognised with the European Commission's Seal of Excellence. Additional national research grants were secured during the project period. Bulgaria's ratification as a member state of the European Molecular Biology Conference in 2025 — a process to which AEGIS-IMB contributed — now grants Bulgarian life scientists full access to European training and career development programmes.
For more information, please visit
https://imb-era.eu/en/(öffnet in neuem Fenster)
