Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPRINGBOARD (Springboard for excellence in advanced development of antibacterials)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-09-01 do 2021-11-30
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 first 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 M1-M15:
• Outgoing visit to the University of Florence. New skills on advanced methods of modification of known inhibitors for selectivity improvement were acquired. Also skills on kinetic measurements on stopped-flow equipment were improved.
• Outgoing visit to the University of Copenhagen. Experience on science management issues was obtained. Scientific discussions on the development of antibacterial biopharmaceuticals took place.
• Incoming visits of professors from the University of Copenhagen and University of Antwerp. Professors were introduced to the available infrastructure and research expertise of LIOS. Professors met early-stage researchers of LIOS and discussed with them the research plans for the outgoing visits
• 3 SPRINGBOARD events organized (2 - scientific, 1- on transferable skills),
• 14 participations in the scientific conferences, information days and other events, 2 posters presented
• Submitted proposals: 2 - for Horizon Europe calls, 1 - for COST programme, 2 - for national research grants,
• 1 online lecture for general public in the virtual Researchers’ Night event,
• Dissemination activities – established SPRINGBOARD project webpage (https://springboard.osi.lv/) created project logo,
2 publications on CORDIS Wire, published press releases about events (available on web page), created project LinkedIn account, posted about project activities on Twitter and Facebook accounts, created banner for the virtual events.
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.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation part of staff exchange visits planned for 2021 have been postponed to 2022. The first reporting period of SPRINGBOARD was a challenging time and the majority of activities were conducted online. Project’s participants had to adapt and invent new approaches to reach the planned results.
Performed work and achieved results by consortium during M1-M15:
• Outgoing visit to the University of Florence. New skills on advanced methods of modification of known inhibitors for selectivity improvement were acquired. Also skills on kinetic measurements on stopped-flow equipment were improved.
• Outgoing visit to the University of Copenhagen. Experience on science management issues was obtained. Scientific discussions on the development of antibacterial biopharmaceuticals took place.
• Incoming visits of professors from the University of Copenhagen and University of Antwerp. Professors were introduced to the available infrastructure and research expertise of LIOS. Professors met early-stage researchers of LIOS and discussed with them the research plans for the outgoing visits
• 3 SPRINGBOARD events organized (2 - scientific, 1- on transferable skills),
• 14 participations in the scientific conferences, information days and other events, 2 posters presented
• Submitted proposals: 2 - for Horizon Europe calls, 1 - for COST programme, 2 - for national research grants,
• 1 online lecture for general public in the virtual Researchers’ Night event,
• Dissemination activities – established SPRINGBOARD project webpage (https://springboard.osi.lv/) created project logo,
2 publications on CORDIS Wire, published press releases about events (available on web page), created project LinkedIn account, posted about project activities on Twitter and Facebook accounts, created banner for the virtual events.
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.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation part of staff exchange visits planned for 2021 have been postponed to 2022. The first reporting period of SPRINGBOARD was a challenging time and the majority of activities were conducted online. Project’s participants had to adapt and invent new approaches to reach the planned results.
Reached impact in the 1st 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,
• 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.
The complete and detailed evaluation of the reached impact will be carried out after the full implementation of planned activities of 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,
• 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.
The complete and detailed evaluation of the reached impact will be carried out after the full implementation of planned activities of the SPRINGBOARD project.