Unlocking excellence in research and innovation in neurobiology and neurological disorders at IBMC/I3S

Project Information

NCBio

Grant agreement ID: 951923

DOI

10.3030/951923

EC signature date 10 June 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Establishing ‚ERA Chairs’

Total cost

€ 2 479 972,50

EU contribution

€ 2 479 972,50

Coordinated by

INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR E CELULAR-IBMC
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NCBio (Unlocking excellence in research and innovation in neurobiology and neurological disorders at IBMC/I3S)

Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Neurological Disorders are one of the greatest threats to public health. More than 220 million people in Europe suffer from neurological diseases which cost 336 billion Euros a year, creating an enormous burden on those affected, families and caregivers, society at large and on health care systems.

The lack of a strong research programme on Neural Cell Biology at IBMC/i3S has been identified as a major handicap in unlocking the full potential of the work performed by the research groups involved in the Programme of Neurobiology and Neurologic Disorders- PN&ND. Responding to this need, the main objective of NCbio is to recruit and maintain an experienced researcher and research project manager in the field of Neural Cell Biology (ERA Chair Holder), as well as her/his scientific team that will establish a new research group at IBMC/i3S. The Neural Cell Biology research group (“NCbio group”) will provide excellence and trigger innovation in this area, increasing the research excellence and attractiveness of IBMC/i3S in Neuroscience. This will be acheived by promoting institutional structural changes towards excellence and sustainability, thereby placing the institute at the forefront of this field of biomedical R&I in Europe.

This will be possible by attaining the below specific objectives (SO):
SO1: Establish a new IBMC/i3S research group in Neural Cell Biology (NCbio group);
SO2: Promote sustainable research excellence in Neurobiology at IBMC/i3S, improving the overall scientific competitiveness within PN&ND and securing and administering research funds;
SO3. Maximise and structure IBMC/i3S´s collaborations with key stakeholders from industrial, clinical, academic and patient circles;
SO4. Contribute to the alignment with ERA priorities;
SO5. Increase the attractiveness of i3S, the region and country.

In summary, the overall goal of NCbio is to increase the attractiveness and research excellence of IBMC/i3S in the field of Neuroscience by supporting institutional structural changes towards excellence and sustainability, thereby, placing the institute at the forefront of this field of biomedical R&I in Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work carried out during the reporting period towards the achievement of each listed objective is detailed below.

SO1: Establish a new IBMC/i3S research group in Neural Cell Biology (NCBio group)
During this reporting period the ERA Chair Holder – Dr Matthew Holt – has been recruited (Jan 1, 2022) and his group – the Synapse Biology group – was established. Currently, the Project Manager – Dr Olga Sin – has already been recruited (starting date Aug 1, 2022). Researchers for the remaining positions are still being selected.

SO2: Promote sustainable research excellence in Neurobiology at IBMC/i3S, improving the overall scientific competitiveness within the PN&ND
The Synapse Biology group was provided the appropriate laboratory space, access to the internal facilities, and seed money to initiate its scientific work.
Dr Holt is already raising the profile of the institute and increasing the critical mass of researchers working in fundamental research in Neuroscience. After being hired he has already published a considerable number of high profile papers where his affiliation to IBMC/i3S and his support by NCBio are included.
During this period, Dr Holt was an invited speaker in several meetings and he is also leading the organization of the retreat of the PN&ND and of the Portuguese Glia Network Meeting.
Dr Holt has participated in the Neuroscience module of the IBMC/i3S MCBiology PhD Program, thereby actively contributing to the education of highly qualified researchers. He has additionally started to support the career orientation of PhD students, in the BiotechHealth PhD Programme (Univ Porto).

SO3. Maximise and structure IBMC/i3S´s collaborations with key stakeholders
Dr Holt is planning the establishment of the NCBio hub, that will count on existing relationships of IBMC/i3S with selected key stakeholders in the field of Neurobiology.

SO4. Contribute to the alignment with ERA priorities
The IBMC/i3S further implemented the European Charter for Researchers & Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The EC for HR Excellence in Research Award and the use of the HR Excellence in Research logo was awarded in Sept 6, 2021.

SO5. Increase the attractiveness of i3S, the region and country
The NCBio team in close collaboration with the i3S Communication Unit is promoting the dissemination and communication of NCBio towards a range of stakeholders, through different communication and engagement activities. Promotional tools have been developed, a NCBio website has been implemented and an individual online page for the NCBio group was set up. Dr Holt is further promoting the dissemination of NCBio in scientific conferences and internal meetings.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

1. INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AT IBMC/I3S ALLOWING ITS FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE ERA
- Dr Holt is already leveraging the quality and R&I of the PN&ND thereby empowering IBMC/i3S with knowledge and tools to be more competitive at securing international competitive funds.
- Through a new module on Synapse Biology incorporated in existing PhD Programmes, Dr Holt is contributing to the education of highly qualified researchers and increasing the international attractiveness of these programmes.
- Through the implementation of the HR Strategy for Researchers, the IBMC/i3S is improving researcher recruitment processes.
- The NCbio Hub that is being prepared by Dr Holt, will promote the potential of the IBMC/i3S scientific and innovation capacity.

2. INCREASED ATTRACTIVENESS OF IBMC/I3S FOR INTERNATIONALLY EXCELLENT AND MOBILE RESEARCHERS.
- The use of the HRS4R logo by IBMC/i3S will substantially increase the international visibility of the institute towards internationally excellent and mobile researchers.
- Through the participation in PhD Programmes, Dr Holt will support an innovative, creative and productive community of graduate students and improve the attractiveness of this offer within the student communities.
- The new research capacity in Synapse Biology, and the cutting-edge research performed by Dr Holt are yielding further international visibility to IBMC/i3S and will attract international researchers.

3. INCREASED RESEARCH EXCELLENCE OF IBMC/I3S IN NEUROBIOLOGY
- NCbio enabled a new research direction at IBMC/i3S, which will enable to quickly install capacity and knowledge that leverages existing competences.
- The high scientific competence of Dr Holt, together with the implementation of novel conceptual frameworks and methodologies, and of innovative networking and partnership initiatives, will lead to an increased number of publications.
- NCbio will result in an increased capacity of IBMC/i3S to open new research directions that are expected to result in new therapeutic solutions for neurological disorders. The new scientific potential induced by Dr Holt will allow further engagement of industry and hospitals in collaborations.

4. IMPROVED CAPABILITY TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY FOR INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING
The implementation of the NCbio project will potentiate IBMC/i3S´ ability to secure competitive collaborative funds. Importantly, the knowledge and expertise gained by PN&ND groups under the guidance of Dr Holt will increase the potential of successful applications to European and international funding sources.

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