After the 42 months of LYSOCIL implementation, the outcomes and overall impact of this Twinning action on the research capacity of UNL-NMS-CEDOC are plentiful and quite clear, with the entire WP4 dedicated to improving the performance and competitiveness of UNL-NMS-CEDOC Researchers in lysosomal and ciliary Rare Diseases (RDs) research.
The activities foreseen under the scope of LYSOCIL clearly reinforced the research and innovation profile in RDs by consolidating research skills through online and onsite Workshops, Virtual Think Tanks (VTTs), a Summer School, Staff Exchanges, Winter Retreats, a Final Conference, a series of talks by renowned international experts about RDs, and a Mentoring Programme. The reports about this Mentoring Programme state a general increase in the UNL-NMS-CEDOC researchers’ portfolio of expertise, productivity, career progress and network. This increase in research excellence is corroborated by the increase in the mean h-index of ca. 29% (19.4 to 24.4) a 48% growth in the total number of citations (330 to 403), and a rise of 117% in the number of publications of the researchers involved (15 to 32), when comparing the beginning and the end of the reporting period of this mentoring programme. All the knowledge and expertise gained through these capacity-building activities were and continue to be applied in the leadership and involvement in applications to national, European, and international funding opportunities.
Thus far, LYSOCIL project promoted publications in high impact factor journals, including collaborative publications between UNL-NMS-CEDOC research groups and consortium members. Moreover, the project resulted in the publication of 10 publications, with the contribution of all LYSOCIL partners and EAB members, which resulted from project activities. Furthermore, the participation of researchers in national and international scientific conferences and meetings with several oral (42) and poster (50) presentations was enhanced.
LYSOCIL also reinforced the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of UNL-NMS-CEDOC by consolidating, widening and intensifying collaborations with WWU and TIGEM. Beyond the consortium, the LYSOCIL project was fully committed to communicating and disseminating information about RDs. The implementation of a rigorous dissemination and communication plan ensured the highest possible impact across Lisbon, Portuguese and European scientific communities working in chronic RDs. From a website to outdoors, from social media to a broadcast live on Portuguese and international television (RTP and RTP Internacional), under the scope of Maratona da Saúde’s 7th Edition dedicated to RDs, consistent messages and dissemination materials were adopted, fully maximizing the engagement with research and science.
Also, by deploying a set of outreach and exploitation activities to patients and their representatives, LYSOCIL enhanced the impact of the project with special attention to the end-users. In parallel with the promotion and sharing of knowledge and awareness about RDs, collaborations with patient associations were established, increasing the recognition of UNL-NMS-CEDOC in the RDs field.
