Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SPRINGBOARD (Springboard for excellence in advanced development of antibacterials)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-12-01 do 2024-05-31
publication before project
10.1080/14756366.2018.1504040
Widespread resistance against antibacterial agents is a global threat to society. Despite this, the number of new antibacterials that have been brought to the market has declined in recent decades. Additionally, since many drug candidates in clinical development belong to already existing families of antibiotics, their antibacterial activity and, accordingly usefulness is likely to be decreased by the rapid development of resistance in clinical strains. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new classes of antibacterials, preferably for new molecular targets and/or mechanism of action.
The main goal (overall objective) of the SPRINGBOARD project is to strengthen the research potential of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) through establishing long-lasting and sustainable network collaboration with leading European research institutions in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs – the University of Antwerp, University of Copenhagen, University of Florence and University of Helsinki. The implementation of this strategic partnership will ensure the establishment of a platform of excellence in the area of the discovery of novel antibacterials. The SPRINGBOARD consortium partners will thereby contribute to the socio-economic development in the European Research Area (ERA).
The SPRINGBOARD strategy is to create a joint platform of excellence for the development of novel antibacterial drugs. This platform will promote the joint project proposals involving all consortium partners and ensure mutual know-how benefits for all partners. The University of Florence possesses the expertise on principles of identification of new drug targets, in particular on metalloenzymes as drug targets for novel antibacterial agents. The University of Helsinki will share its experience on bioassay optimization, screening technologies and principles of modifying natural compounds to improve their antibacterial properties and bioavailability. From the University of Copenhagen researchers of LIOS will gain expertise on antisense and peptide antibacterial agents. The University of Antwerp provides LIOS skills, know-how and experience on biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS), in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate potential anti-biofilm compounds. Additionally, the partners of SPRINGBOARD will benefit from the LIOS expertise on organic synthesis and especially on process chemistry.
10.1080/14756366.2018.1504040
Widespread resistance against antibacterial agents is a global threat to society. Despite this, the number of new antibacterials that have been brought to the market has declined in recent decades. Additionally, since many drug candidates in clinical development belong to already existing families of antibiotics, their antibacterial activity and, accordingly usefulness is likely to be decreased by the rapid development of resistance in clinical strains. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new classes of antibacterials, preferably for new molecular targets and/or mechanism of action.
The main goal (overall objective) of the SPRINGBOARD project is to strengthen the research potential of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) through establishing long-lasting and sustainable network collaboration with leading European research institutions in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs – the University of Antwerp, University of Copenhagen, University of Florence and University of Helsinki. The implementation of this strategic partnership will ensure the establishment of a platform of excellence in the area of the discovery of novel antibacterials. The SPRINGBOARD consortium partners will thereby contribute to the socio-economic development in the European Research Area (ERA).
The SPRINGBOARD strategy is to create a joint platform of excellence for the development of novel antibacterial drugs. This platform will promote the joint project proposals involving all consortium partners and ensure mutual know-how benefits for all partners. The University of Florence possesses the expertise on principles of identification of new drug targets, in particular on metalloenzymes as drug targets for novel antibacterial agents. The University of Helsinki will share its experience on bioassay optimization, screening technologies and principles of modifying natural compounds to improve their antibacterial properties and bioavailability. From the University of Copenhagen researchers of LIOS will gain expertise on antisense and peptide antibacterial agents. The University of Antwerp provides LIOS skills, know-how and experience on biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS), in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate potential anti-biofilm compounds. Additionally, the partners of SPRINGBOARD will benefit from the LIOS expertise on organic synthesis and especially on process chemistry.
During the second reporting period the work was carried out to achieve the main goal – strengthen the research potential of the LIOS through establishing long-lasting and sustainable network collaboration in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs.
Performed work and achieved results by consortium during M16-M36 (extended to M45):
Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in the 1st period (M1-M15) of project many events were postponed. The project SPRINGBOARD Advisory Board advised to extend project implementation. Amendment was submitted and project was extended by nine moth (in total 45 moth). The approved extension allowed full project implementation in post-COVID period.
• Performed all planned visits between partner institutions:
2 + 14 outgoing visits;
2 + 17 incoming visits.
• 3+4 SPRINGBOARD events organized (2+2 - scientific, 1+1 - on transferable skills, 1 summer school), (two extra after project extension).
• Organized summarizing conference “Achievements of SPRINGBOARD project”, banner about Achievements of project.
• Collaborative publications: 7 articles, including 1 review article authored by all Consortium partners.
• Presentation in conferences: 2 poster presentations in virtual conference; 1 oral presentation; 5 poster presentations and 10 short talks.
• 3 virtual newsletters.
• Submitted proposals: 2+5 - for Horizon Europe calls, 1 - for COST programme, 3 proposals for ERA-NET JPIAMR calls, 2+3 - for national research grants.
• 1 online lecture for general public in the virtual Researchers’ Night, Job Shadow Day, Career days events, Presentation about the SPRINGBOARD project to scientific community at the Latvian Academy of Science and Latvia's united news portal lsm.lv; Rīta panorama (author Uldis Birziņš (Latvian Television) 30.05.2024.
• Dissemination activities – regularly updated SPRINGBOARD project webpage (https://springboard.osi.lv/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) published press releases about events (available on web page), posted about project activities on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook accounts, created banner for the final conference.
The implementation of SPRINGBOARD project has provided the new knowledge on the area of discovery of antibacterial drugs. Acquired new skills on innovative methods of modification of known inhibitors for selectivity improvement and determined activity of compounds series. The obtained results will be used for joint publication and PhD thesis.
Performed work and achieved results by consortium during M16-M36 (extended to M45):
Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in the 1st period (M1-M15) of project many events were postponed. The project SPRINGBOARD Advisory Board advised to extend project implementation. Amendment was submitted and project was extended by nine moth (in total 45 moth). The approved extension allowed full project implementation in post-COVID period.
• Performed all planned visits between partner institutions:
2 + 14 outgoing visits;
2 + 17 incoming visits.
• 3+4 SPRINGBOARD events organized (2+2 - scientific, 1+1 - on transferable skills, 1 summer school), (two extra after project extension).
• Organized summarizing conference “Achievements of SPRINGBOARD project”, banner about Achievements of project.
• Collaborative publications: 7 articles, including 1 review article authored by all Consortium partners.
• Presentation in conferences: 2 poster presentations in virtual conference; 1 oral presentation; 5 poster presentations and 10 short talks.
• 3 virtual newsletters.
• Submitted proposals: 2+5 - for Horizon Europe calls, 1 - for COST programme, 3 proposals for ERA-NET JPIAMR calls, 2+3 - for national research grants.
• 1 online lecture for general public in the virtual Researchers’ Night, Job Shadow Day, Career days events, Presentation about the SPRINGBOARD project to scientific community at the Latvian Academy of Science and Latvia's united news portal lsm.lv; Rīta panorama (author Uldis Birziņš (Latvian Television) 30.05.2024.
• Dissemination activities – regularly updated SPRINGBOARD project webpage (https://springboard.osi.lv/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) published press releases about events (available on web page), posted about project activities on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook accounts, created banner for the final conference.
The implementation of SPRINGBOARD project has provided the new knowledge on the area of discovery of antibacterial drugs. Acquired new skills on innovative methods of modification of known inhibitors for selectivity improvement and determined activity of compounds series. The obtained results will be used for joint publication and PhD thesis.
Reached impact in the 2nd period of the project:
• improved skills and capacities of LIOS researchers in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs,
• improved transferable skills of LIOS researchers, especially early stage researchers,
• increased the research excellence of LIOS in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs,
• enhanced the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of LIOS.
During the implementation of the SPRINGBOARD project, early-stage researchers and experienced LIOS staff not only gained practical skills and knowledge through secondments and participated in career development events such as conferences, symposia, congresses, seminars, and summer schools, but also published partial scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and prepared and submitted project applications to several funding platforms, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the excellence platform established during the SPRINGBOARD project.
• improved skills and capacities of LIOS researchers in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs,
• improved transferable skills of LIOS researchers, especially early stage researchers,
• increased the research excellence of LIOS in the area of advanced discovery of novel antibacterial drugs,
• enhanced the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of LIOS.
During the implementation of the SPRINGBOARD project, early-stage researchers and experienced LIOS staff not only gained practical skills and knowledge through secondments and participated in career development events such as conferences, symposia, congresses, seminars, and summer schools, but also published partial scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and prepared and submitted project applications to several funding platforms, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the excellence platform established during the SPRINGBOARD project.