Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MIBEst (Molecular Infection Biology Estonia - Research capacity building)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-12-01 al 2023-02-28
Infectious diseases continue to pose major public health challenges and significant economic problems in both developed and developing countries. The infectious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses are manifested by acute symptoms that might require rapid treatment. Importantly, in addition to the acute phase of the disease many infectious agents can persist in the host in a latent asymptomatic state and cause chronic infection.
The great diversity of the infectious agents and the multidisciplinary nature of the infectious biology research necessitate a convergence and collaboration of various disciplines: microbiology, cell biology, animal infection models, immunology etc. Especially important are joint activities for smaller countries like Estonia. The expected outcome of the MIBEst project is establishing an integrated centre of applied research, development and innovation in the field of persistent infections at premises of Institute of Technology (TUIT), University of Tartu.
MIBEst objective is strengthening the research capacity on latent and chronic infection related research in TUIT by linking it with two internationally-leading research institutions: MIMS (Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden) at Umeå University from University of Umea and Basel Biozentrum at University of Basel.
The great diversity of the infectious agents and the multidisciplinary nature of the infectious biology research necessitate a convergence and collaboration of various disciplines: microbiology, cell biology, animal infection models, immunology etc. Especially important are joint activities for smaller countries like Estonia. The expected outcome of the MIBEst project is establishing an integrated centre of applied research, development and innovation in the field of persistent infections at premises of Institute of Technology (TUIT), University of Tartu.
MIBEst objective is strengthening the research capacity on latent and chronic infection related research in TUIT by linking it with two internationally-leading research institutions: MIMS (Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden) at Umeå University from University of Umea and Basel Biozentrum at University of Basel.
During the second reporting period we have been working towards achieving our main goal - establishing an integrated centre of applied research, development and innovation in the field of persistent infections at premises of Institute of Technology (TUIT), University of Tartu.
Work done and result achieved by consortium during M16-M36 :
During the second grant period several interactions with stakeholders occurred. In 2022 a meeting was hold at the Ministry of Education and Research for discussing funding policies for infection biology in Estonia. As many of the grant programmes end in 2021 and 2022 it was important to discuss further funding options.
In February 2023 a discussion with Estonian Ministries on the antibiotic resistance containment strategy was organized. Currently the activities in this direction are fragmented and ideas for consolidation were discussed. New version of the Strategic Development Plan was created.
5 longterm and 11 short term staff exchange visits took place.
The collaboration with University of Basel spin-offs was focused on company Resistell. Four people from Tartu had industrial practice at the company. As a result of the interactions a joint manuscript is being prepared.
1. TUIT contributed to frontline research of emerging infectious diseases COVID-19 including studies on development of vaccines and early control measures (infection spread monitoring based on analysis of sewage water) and development of the molecular biology tools.
2. Continued work on persistent infectious disease and infection models by getting new knowledge through courses, winter school and conferences. Important source of knowledge transfer to TUIT researchers have been the visits of Ivana Kerkez, Kristiina Kurg and Karin Kogermann. Core Laboratory of Biosafety will allow efficient implementation of acquired knowledge on bacterial mice and rat infection models in Tartu.
3. Perform high‐throughput (HTS) screening to identify hit compounds for development of novel antimicrobial agents was performed by Niilo Kaldalu and Kertu-Liis Krigul during their visits to MIMS. Specially the visit of Niilo Kaldalu provided good experience on how to conduct screening against pathogens causing persistent infections. Core Laboratory of Biosafety will allow efficient implementation of acquired knowledge as equipment for HTS, especially in infection models, is in place. The Biosafety Facility is currently being integrating with other core facilities (Proteomics, Cell Biology). This will integrate better screening with downstream developments.
4. All research visits of TUIT PhD researchers to our partners in MIMS and BASEL contributed to the research of the structure and function of macromolecules and the wiring of regulatory circuits concerning persistent bacterial infections and antimicrobial drug treatment.
5. project website constantly updated with relevant information about all the forthcoming project events. We had 3 publications that resulted between collaboration of consortium partners in the field of persistent infections and 10 popular science publications in national media (see WP5).
6. A number of complementary skills trainings and hands‐on practice at private sector will be provided for research staff in order to enhance TUIT’s capacity to translate research results into practice. Extensive cooperation took place with university’s technology transfer office:
• IPR training - Jane Luht and Adrien Hanouar from UT Technology Transfer Office (Centre of entrepreneurship and innovation) were giving the course in 2021 and 2022.
• Horizon 2020 training seminars - Argo Soon from Estonian Research Council was giving a seminar with a special focus on infection biology (2021). Estonian Research Council organized a general Horizon 2020 seminar (Margit Ilves and Maria Habicht).
• Research commercialization training - occurred in 2023 in the form of two day winter school. The principal organizer was professor Tõnu Esko from University of Tartu.
Research methodology and ethics/ responsible research training - the course was organized in 2021. Associate professor Ülo Maiväli from University of Tartu was responsible for organizing the course.
• Short-term secondments to BASEL’s spin-off companies – four secondments to company Resistell occurred during the second grant period. A joint manuscript is being written and a joint grant proposal was filed.
Work done and result achieved by consortium during M16-M36 :
During the second grant period several interactions with stakeholders occurred. In 2022 a meeting was hold at the Ministry of Education and Research for discussing funding policies for infection biology in Estonia. As many of the grant programmes end in 2021 and 2022 it was important to discuss further funding options.
In February 2023 a discussion with Estonian Ministries on the antibiotic resistance containment strategy was organized. Currently the activities in this direction are fragmented and ideas for consolidation were discussed. New version of the Strategic Development Plan was created.
5 longterm and 11 short term staff exchange visits took place.
The collaboration with University of Basel spin-offs was focused on company Resistell. Four people from Tartu had industrial practice at the company. As a result of the interactions a joint manuscript is being prepared.
1. TUIT contributed to frontline research of emerging infectious diseases COVID-19 including studies on development of vaccines and early control measures (infection spread monitoring based on analysis of sewage water) and development of the molecular biology tools.
2. Continued work on persistent infectious disease and infection models by getting new knowledge through courses, winter school and conferences. Important source of knowledge transfer to TUIT researchers have been the visits of Ivana Kerkez, Kristiina Kurg and Karin Kogermann. Core Laboratory of Biosafety will allow efficient implementation of acquired knowledge on bacterial mice and rat infection models in Tartu.
3. Perform high‐throughput (HTS) screening to identify hit compounds for development of novel antimicrobial agents was performed by Niilo Kaldalu and Kertu-Liis Krigul during their visits to MIMS. Specially the visit of Niilo Kaldalu provided good experience on how to conduct screening against pathogens causing persistent infections. Core Laboratory of Biosafety will allow efficient implementation of acquired knowledge as equipment for HTS, especially in infection models, is in place. The Biosafety Facility is currently being integrating with other core facilities (Proteomics, Cell Biology). This will integrate better screening with downstream developments.
4. All research visits of TUIT PhD researchers to our partners in MIMS and BASEL contributed to the research of the structure and function of macromolecules and the wiring of regulatory circuits concerning persistent bacterial infections and antimicrobial drug treatment.
5. project website constantly updated with relevant information about all the forthcoming project events. We had 3 publications that resulted between collaboration of consortium partners in the field of persistent infections and 10 popular science publications in national media (see WP5).
6. A number of complementary skills trainings and hands‐on practice at private sector will be provided for research staff in order to enhance TUIT’s capacity to translate research results into practice. Extensive cooperation took place with university’s technology transfer office:
• IPR training - Jane Luht and Adrien Hanouar from UT Technology Transfer Office (Centre of entrepreneurship and innovation) were giving the course in 2021 and 2022.
• Horizon 2020 training seminars - Argo Soon from Estonian Research Council was giving a seminar with a special focus on infection biology (2021). Estonian Research Council organized a general Horizon 2020 seminar (Margit Ilves and Maria Habicht).
• Research commercialization training - occurred in 2023 in the form of two day winter school. The principal organizer was professor Tõnu Esko from University of Tartu.
Research methodology and ethics/ responsible research training - the course was organized in 2021. Associate professor Ülo Maiväli from University of Tartu was responsible for organizing the course.
• Short-term secondments to BASEL’s spin-off companies – four secondments to company Resistell occurred during the second grant period. A joint manuscript is being written and a joint grant proposal was filed.
The project increased the research capacity of the project partners in chronic infections and infectious diseases in general. This will facilitate the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics. The competence developed can also advise public bodies in health emergency situations as was illustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic.