ERA Chair for Accelerated Synthetic Chemistry Technologies at Palacký University Olomouc

Project Information

ACCELERATOR

Grant agreement ID: 101087318

DOI

10.3030/101087318

EC signature date 14 October 2022

Start date 1 February 2023

End date 31 January 2028

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 2 499 062,50

EU contribution

€ 2 499 062,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCI
Czechia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ACCELERATOR (ERA Chair for Accelerated Synthetic Chemistry Technologies at Palacký University Olomouc)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2026-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Context and Overall Objectives
The ERA Chair project was initiated in February 2023 with the primary objective of enhancing the research capabilities and international competitiveness of the Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL) by establishing a world-class research team in the field of high-throughput experimentation (HTE) and miniaturized reaction technologies. The project's context is grounded in the need to address significant scientific and industrial challenges through innovative chemical research and development.
Background and Motivation
In the rapidly evolving landscape of chemical research, there is a growing demand for efficient, high-throughput methodologies that can accelerate the discovery and optimization of new chemical matter. Traditional approaches often involve labor-intensive processes that are not scalable, thereby limiting their effectiveness in meeting the demands of modern industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The ERA Chair project aims to bridge this gap by developing cutting-edge HTE platforms and leveraging miniaturized reaction technologies to facilitate faster, more efficient chemical experimentation.
Problems and Needs Addressed
The project targets several critical issues in contemporary chemical research:
1. Inefficiency in Traditional Chemical Experimentation: Current methods are often slow and resource-intensive, hindering the rapid development of new compounds.
2. Lack of Integration Between Academic Research and Industry Needs: There is a pressing need for stronger collaboration between academic researchers and industrial partners to ensure that scientific advancements are quickly translated into practical applications.
3. Insufficient Training and Career Development for Young Scientists: Providing comprehensive training and career development opportunities for junior researchers is essential to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders.
Overall Objectives
1. Establish a High-Throughput Experimentation Center: Develop and equip state-of-the-art laboratories at UPOL to support high-throughput chemical experimentation, thereby increasing the efficiency and scalability of research processes.
2. Foster Interdisciplinary and Industrial Collaborations: Build strong partnerships with local, national, and international research institutions and industries to promote knowledge exchange and collaborative research projects.
3. Advance Career Development for Junior Scientists: Implement robust training programs and mentorship opportunities to enhance the professional development of young researchers, preparing them for successful careers in academia and industry.
4. Enhance Scientific Output and Impact: Achieve high publication rates in leading international journals and present research findings at major scientific conferences to establish UPOL as a leader in chemical research.
Expected Impact
The ERA Chair project is poised to make significant contributions across several domains:
- Scientific Impact: By pioneering advanced HTE technologies, the project will streamline the chemical discovery process, leading to faster development of new compounds and materials.
- Economic Impact: Enhanced collaboration with industry partners will drive innovation, potentially leading to new products and technologies that can stimulate economic growth.
- Societal Impact: Training the next generation of scientists and fostering a culture of innovation will have long-lasting benefits, contributing to the overall advancement of science and technology.
By addressing these challenges and objectives, the ERA Chair project will play a crucial role in transforming UPOL into a hub of excellence in chemical research, ultimately contributing to solving some of the most pressing scientific and industrial problems of our time.

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

The ERA Chair project ACCELERATOR has shown significant progress since its start in February 2023. Despite initial challenges, the project has achieved substantial milestones during two reporting periods. The project led to the establishment of the Innovative Chemistry group at CATRIN of Palacký University, successful collaborations and several notable scientific contributions.
The Innovative Chemistry group was established under the leadership of Prof Alexander Dömling, who relocated from the Netherlands to Olomouc. The group now comprises 20 members. Four laboratories are already fully operational. Collaborative projects with CATRIN-IMTM have already yielded active compounds.
Active collaborations have also been initiated with various local and international research groups, including the three research divisions of CATRIN, namely CATRIN-IMTM, CATRIN-CRH, and CATRIN-RCPTM. A notable collaboration with Farmak aims to enhance the sustainability of chemical processes for antiviral APIs, potentially leading to new intellectual property and patents. Discussions with other industry leaders like Bayer and SCIEX are underway to explore further collaborative opportunities.
The group has produced 12 research articles so far dedicated to the Accelerator project. The group members have actively participated in international conferences and workshops, enhancing the visibility of their research and fostering professional networks.
Regular mentoring sessions and training in essential skills such as presentation techniques and job application strategies are provided to all group members under supervision of Professor Dömling. PhD students and postdocs have secured internships and international research stays, such as a six-month internship at Bayer in Berlin, to gain practical experience and expand their professional networks.
The ERA Chair project continues its journey to success. During Reporting Period 2, the project established advanced automated platforms for the rapid synthesis and screening of diverse small molecules relevant for drug discovery and biotechnology. Robotic and acoustic dispensing technologies were integrated to enable miniaturized high-throughput chemistry, allowing the efficient preparation of large and chemically diverse compound libraries. These compounds are being evaluated in multiple biological assays in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. The project also strengthened links between academic research and industry, including the establishment of the spin-off company AMADTEUS GmbH and the initiation of collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. Overall, the work contributes to accelerating the discovery of new bioactive molecules while developing innovative technologies for automated chemical synthesis.

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 has advanced chemical synthesis beyond the current state of the art by developing automated, miniaturized platforms that enable the rapid exploration of very large and diverse chemical spaces. By combining high-throughput experimentation, acoustic nanoliter dispensing technologies, and innovative multicomponent reaction chemistry, the project allows the generation and screening of compound libraries that would be difficult or impossible to access using traditional laboratory methods. These approaches significantly accelerate the discovery of new bioactive molecules and provide tools for more efficient drug discovery and materials research. In addition, the project strengthens the translation of academic discoveries toward practical applications through collaborations with industry and the establishment of a dedicated spin-off company.

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