Periodic Reporting for period 3 - COMBIVET (Setting up the ERA Chair of Comparative Medicine in the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2025-02-28
The aim of the COMBIVET project was to establish an ERA Chair of Comparative Medicine under the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (IVMAS) at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU). The strand of research that forms a bridge between human and animal health is called comparative medicine. Comparative medicine has great untapped research potential as many of the health challenges faced by humans and animals are the same. This includes, for example, age-related diseases, infectious and metabolic diseases. Thanks to these similarities, knowledge gained from studying and treating animal patients can be applied in humans while developing new diagnostic tools and therapies for both humans and animals. This, however, requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach and the development of research capabilities to support excellent comparative human and animal based research efforts.
The primary objectives of the COMBIVET project include the following:
• Bring excellence to EMU and increase its attractiveness by recruiting outstanding researchers,
• Promote comparative medicine research in EMU by developing research excellence in One Health concept,
• Boost the international visibility of EMU in the field of comparative medicine by establishing long-term strategic partnerships beyond the life time of this project,
• Reinforce cooperation with various departments and other R&D institutions by integrating comparative medicine research conducted in various departments of IVMAS and increasing interdisciplinary cooperation.
The primary objectives of the COMBIVET project include the following:
• Bring excellence to EMU and increase its attractiveness by recruiting outstanding researchers,
• Promote comparative medicine research in EMU by developing research excellence in One Health concept,
• Boost the international visibility of EMU in the field of comparative medicine by establishing long-term strategic partnerships beyond the life time of this project,
• Reinforce cooperation with various departments and other R&D institutions by integrating comparative medicine research conducted in various departments of IVMAS and increasing interdisciplinary cooperation.
The COMBIVET project, hosted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, brought significant progress in advancing comparative medicine and One Health research. To support the integration of the ERA Chair initiative, structural changes were made within the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, and a dedicated Steering Committee was appointed by the EMU Rector. Biweekly management meetings with administrative and research staff ensured smooth coordination. Professor Alireza Fazeli was appointed as the ERA Chair holder to lead the project’s scientific direction.
Despite strong recruitment efforts, international hiring was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Five rounds of job advertisements were conducted, and while some positions remained open, recruitment continued, supported by the involvement of experienced specialists to meet project goals.
The ERA Chair team defined four thematic areas for its research and training activities: host–pathogen interactions and disease biomarkers, infertility and subfertility, non-communicable diseases and cancer, and the intersection of food, feed and health. These themes guided the project’s focus across research, infrastructure, training, and knowledge-sharing activities.
Throughout the project, the team engaged in numerous professional development initiatives including conferences, workshops, training schools, and guest lectures. Six PhD students were recruited directly to the COMBIVET programme, with six more supervised by the project team, contributing to a total of twelve new PhD researchers in related fields. Their projects reflected COMBIVET’s core themes and added valuable depth to the programme’s scientific scope.
Scientific outputs were actively shared, with 33 open-access articles published and regular participation in conferences and seminars. A dedicated website (www.combivet.ee) supported wider dissemination. During the pandemic, virtual meetings and events replaced in-person gatherings, enhancing the team’s capacity for digital outreach, including online guest lectures and international workshops.
The team organised four research schools in Tartu, as well as 55 public seminars and seven conferences or symposia. To engage the wider public, COMBIVET participated in the Arvamus Festival, ran hands-on workshops for both adults and children, and collaborated with the AHHAA Science Centre to promote scientific literacy and dialogue.
An internal ethics strategy was developed, along with the formation of an ethics committee and appointment of mentors. Public dialogue was encouraged through a panel discussion titled “Ethical Dilemmas: Expanding Gap Between Science and Legal Frameworks,” connecting researchers with societal perspectives.
Efforts were also made to engage stakeholders beyond academia. More than 20 meetings with national and international industry representatives were held, and two sessions with policymakers created space for dialogue between the public and private sectors. Research collaborations were established with companies such as ConceptEasy, Chemi-Pharm, Grüne Fee, Dimedium, Particle Metrix, and Mo Saaremaa.
In parallel, the ERA Chair team submitted national and international grant proposals worth over €40 million, including applications under Horizon Europe. Collaborations were strengthened with leading institutions including the University of Tartu, University of Helsinki, University of Milan, and the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Despite strong recruitment efforts, international hiring was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Five rounds of job advertisements were conducted, and while some positions remained open, recruitment continued, supported by the involvement of experienced specialists to meet project goals.
The ERA Chair team defined four thematic areas for its research and training activities: host–pathogen interactions and disease biomarkers, infertility and subfertility, non-communicable diseases and cancer, and the intersection of food, feed and health. These themes guided the project’s focus across research, infrastructure, training, and knowledge-sharing activities.
Throughout the project, the team engaged in numerous professional development initiatives including conferences, workshops, training schools, and guest lectures. Six PhD students were recruited directly to the COMBIVET programme, with six more supervised by the project team, contributing to a total of twelve new PhD researchers in related fields. Their projects reflected COMBIVET’s core themes and added valuable depth to the programme’s scientific scope.
Scientific outputs were actively shared, with 33 open-access articles published and regular participation in conferences and seminars. A dedicated website (www.combivet.ee) supported wider dissemination. During the pandemic, virtual meetings and events replaced in-person gatherings, enhancing the team’s capacity for digital outreach, including online guest lectures and international workshops.
The team organised four research schools in Tartu, as well as 55 public seminars and seven conferences or symposia. To engage the wider public, COMBIVET participated in the Arvamus Festival, ran hands-on workshops for both adults and children, and collaborated with the AHHAA Science Centre to promote scientific literacy and dialogue.
An internal ethics strategy was developed, along with the formation of an ethics committee and appointment of mentors. Public dialogue was encouraged through a panel discussion titled “Ethical Dilemmas: Expanding Gap Between Science and Legal Frameworks,” connecting researchers with societal perspectives.
Efforts were also made to engage stakeholders beyond academia. More than 20 meetings with national and international industry representatives were held, and two sessions with policymakers created space for dialogue between the public and private sectors. Research collaborations were established with companies such as ConceptEasy, Chemi-Pharm, Grüne Fee, Dimedium, Particle Metrix, and Mo Saaremaa.
In parallel, the ERA Chair team submitted national and international grant proposals worth over €40 million, including applications under Horizon Europe. Collaborations were strengthened with leading institutions including the University of Tartu, University of Helsinki, University of Milan, and the Polish Academy of Sciences.
As a major step toward sustaining the achievements of the COMBIVET project, a €1.5 million Twinning grant titled One Health Boost (OH-BOOST) was secured. This initiative brought together the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the University of Tartu, the University of Milan, and the University of Helsinki. The success of OH-BOOST closely aligned with COMBIVET’s objectives and strengthened the long-term foundation for comparative medicine research at EMU beyond the project’s lifespan.
In addition to OH-BOOST, three more grants were awarded to EMU, supported by the Baltic-Germany University Liaison Office and the European Commission, further building capacity and reinforcing the institution’s research network and ambitions.
One of the most significant community outcomes of the project was the establishment of the Baltic Society of Extracellular Vesicles (BSEV), founded by Professor Alireza Fazeli in collaboration with partners from Latvia and Lithuania. Prof. Fazeli was elected as the society’s first president. BSEV created a platform for sustained scientific cooperation in the region and ensured the continuation of COMBIVET's influence beyond Estonia, into the broader Baltic area.
Even after the formal conclusion of project activities, many COMBIVET researchers still continue their work at EMU. A dedicated core of scientists focused on One Health has since formed. This network has contributed to a growing awareness and consensus that Estonia needs a national Centre for One Health, where researchers from various disciplines and sectors can work together on integrated health solutions.
The idea of such a centre gained traction and became the focus of multiple grant applications. While not all have been fully successful, efforts continued with great momentum, and the foundation laid by COMBIVET played a key role in pushing this vision forward. There is now a strong belief that in near future, a national Centre for One Health in Estonia will become a reality. This centre is expected to benefit not only Estonia, but also the wider Baltic region and neighbouring parts of Europe.
The COMBIVET project created a lasting legacy — a committed community of researchers working across human, animal, and environmental health. This network represents a significant step forward in improving planetary health and advancing the One Health approach in Northern and Eastern Europe.
In addition to OH-BOOST, three more grants were awarded to EMU, supported by the Baltic-Germany University Liaison Office and the European Commission, further building capacity and reinforcing the institution’s research network and ambitions.
One of the most significant community outcomes of the project was the establishment of the Baltic Society of Extracellular Vesicles (BSEV), founded by Professor Alireza Fazeli in collaboration with partners from Latvia and Lithuania. Prof. Fazeli was elected as the society’s first president. BSEV created a platform for sustained scientific cooperation in the region and ensured the continuation of COMBIVET's influence beyond Estonia, into the broader Baltic area.
Even after the formal conclusion of project activities, many COMBIVET researchers still continue their work at EMU. A dedicated core of scientists focused on One Health has since formed. This network has contributed to a growing awareness and consensus that Estonia needs a national Centre for One Health, where researchers from various disciplines and sectors can work together on integrated health solutions.
The idea of such a centre gained traction and became the focus of multiple grant applications. While not all have been fully successful, efforts continued with great momentum, and the foundation laid by COMBIVET played a key role in pushing this vision forward. There is now a strong belief that in near future, a national Centre for One Health in Estonia will become a reality. This centre is expected to benefit not only Estonia, but also the wider Baltic region and neighbouring parts of Europe.
The COMBIVET project created a lasting legacy — a committed community of researchers working across human, animal, and environmental health. This network represents a significant step forward in improving planetary health and advancing the One Health approach in Northern and Eastern Europe.