Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NEXT_LEVEL (On the road to excellence in unravelling the (epi)genetic landscape of hematologic neoplasms)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-12-31
The problem addressed in the project:
There are still multiple networking gaps at the European level and disproportions in skills and laboratory equipment between research institutions located in the new EU member states and internationally leading research institution of the old member states. The NEXT_LEVEL project has been developed to reduce these gaps via tightening multi-dimensional, international collaboration in the field of hematologic neoplasms (leukemias and lymphomas), a shared research interest between the consortium members. Therefore the project is thought not only to leverage IHG PAS to a leading EU research institution in this field but also to intensify research within a group of neoplasms that pose a major medical problem worldwide.
The importance of the project for the society:
The cohesion of the European Union is of fundamental importance for the functioning of the community, its international importance and for the maintenance of peace. This has been clearly demonstrated by the example of Russia's aggression towards Ukraine in the recent months. Thus, the implementation of a project that reduces disparities between the Member States is essential for the wellbeing of the society. In addition, the implementation of the project contributes to the increase of the scientific excellence of IHG PAS and the Partners as well as to the increase of the education level of future research staff. This, in turn, will have a direct impact on the reductions in mortality from leukemia and lymphoma which accounts for ~10% of new cancer cases diagnosed in developed countries today.
The overall objectives of the project:
The main objective of the proposal is to step up and stimulate scientific excellence in the field of hemato-oncology of the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IHG PAS) in Poznan and 3 leading European research institutions located in the Netherlands (UMCG), Belgium (UGent) and Germany (UULM). The objective shall be reached through a set of mobility, coordination and support actions building up a long-lasting collaboration between the Partners. The main objective shall be reached by:
- enriching research profiles of the academic staff of the involved institutions,
- boosting scientific & technological (S&T) capacities of the linked institutions in complementary, mutually beneficial ways,
- deepening international collaboration,
- providing sources of new ideas, techniques, expertise,
- ensuring mobility in the European Research Area,
- enabling Polish researchers to cooperate with world-leading hemato-oncology groups,
- tying the IHG PAS into the expanding infrastructure of the European Research Area.
There are still multiple networking gaps at the European level and disproportions in skills and laboratory equipment between research institutions located in the new EU member states and internationally leading research institution of the old member states. The NEXT_LEVEL project has been developed to reduce these gaps via tightening multi-dimensional, international collaboration in the field of hematologic neoplasms (leukemias and lymphomas), a shared research interest between the consortium members. Therefore the project is thought not only to leverage IHG PAS to a leading EU research institution in this field but also to intensify research within a group of neoplasms that pose a major medical problem worldwide.
The importance of the project for the society:
The cohesion of the European Union is of fundamental importance for the functioning of the community, its international importance and for the maintenance of peace. This has been clearly demonstrated by the example of Russia's aggression towards Ukraine in the recent months. Thus, the implementation of a project that reduces disparities between the Member States is essential for the wellbeing of the society. In addition, the implementation of the project contributes to the increase of the scientific excellence of IHG PAS and the Partners as well as to the increase of the education level of future research staff. This, in turn, will have a direct impact on the reductions in mortality from leukemia and lymphoma which accounts for ~10% of new cancer cases diagnosed in developed countries today.
The overall objectives of the project:
The main objective of the proposal is to step up and stimulate scientific excellence in the field of hemato-oncology of the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IHG PAS) in Poznan and 3 leading European research institutions located in the Netherlands (UMCG), Belgium (UGent) and Germany (UULM). The objective shall be reached through a set of mobility, coordination and support actions building up a long-lasting collaboration between the Partners. The main objective shall be reached by:
- enriching research profiles of the academic staff of the involved institutions,
- boosting scientific & technological (S&T) capacities of the linked institutions in complementary, mutually beneficial ways,
- deepening international collaboration,
- providing sources of new ideas, techniques, expertise,
- ensuring mobility in the European Research Area,
- enabling Polish researchers to cooperate with world-leading hemato-oncology groups,
- tying the IHG PAS into the expanding infrastructure of the European Research Area.
The project was implemented in time period 1.01.2021 - 31.12.2023. Project activities were realized within 6 WPs, under which the following tasks were implemented:
(WP1) Ethics requirements were prepared and followed;
(WP2) 5 lectures were given, 2 practical workshops were organized, 3 soft skill seminars were delivered, 1 one-day transferable skills workshop for ESR was offered;
(WP3) 4 short study visits were completed; 8 researchers for upcoming study visits were recruited, 6 researchers were recruited for the upcoming training stays, 4 incoming staff exchange visits were completed, 6 manuscripts acknowledging the project were published and 2 project applications including at least two consortium partners were obtained;
(WP4) A list of networking events was prepared, management training for 4 PIs from IHG PAS was organized in UGENT and its result disseminate among other IHG PAS staff members;
(WP5) Outreach event “Hematology day” was organized for a broad public (in 2021 was dedicated to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia topic), the project logo and brand book, promotional material, website, social media channels were launched; project activities' communication was carried out through press releases, thematic articles, information at branch portals, and cooperation with PR services. The dissemination activities were addressed to a different audience: the scientific community, media, schools and pupils, students, authorities, the general public.
(WP6) Consortium agreement prepared and signed; project team meetings and consortium meetings were organized; communication with project partners (daily basis) and project officer was conducted, project progress monitoring was implemented and deliverables and milestones were tracked, Data Management Plan and has been prepared and annual report of parters' activities submitted.
The increasing of knowledge in the field of hemato – oncology and other aspects necessary to implement research, such as laboratory skills and techniques, soft skills etc. through lectures, workshops and seminars was developed. The mobility of staff resulted in gaining an overview of scientific topics covered in the partner institution, the used methodologies, and the equipment currently lacking in the IHG PAS. Additionally, it supported the transfer of knowledge, good practice exchange and discussions about the studies on hematological malignancies. Through outreach activities, the visibility and recognition of IHG PAS, as well as the consortium partners, was increased. Moreover, the knowledge regarding hemato-oncology research and its meaning for health in the general public was disseminated. The efforts of the consortium members led to the project being implemented as efficiently as possible during the pandemic times.
(WP1) Ethics requirements were prepared and followed;
(WP2) 5 lectures were given, 2 practical workshops were organized, 3 soft skill seminars were delivered, 1 one-day transferable skills workshop for ESR was offered;
(WP3) 4 short study visits were completed; 8 researchers for upcoming study visits were recruited, 6 researchers were recruited for the upcoming training stays, 4 incoming staff exchange visits were completed, 6 manuscripts acknowledging the project were published and 2 project applications including at least two consortium partners were obtained;
(WP4) A list of networking events was prepared, management training for 4 PIs from IHG PAS was organized in UGENT and its result disseminate among other IHG PAS staff members;
(WP5) Outreach event “Hematology day” was organized for a broad public (in 2021 was dedicated to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia topic), the project logo and brand book, promotional material, website, social media channels were launched; project activities' communication was carried out through press releases, thematic articles, information at branch portals, and cooperation with PR services. The dissemination activities were addressed to a different audience: the scientific community, media, schools and pupils, students, authorities, the general public.
(WP6) Consortium agreement prepared and signed; project team meetings and consortium meetings were organized; communication with project partners (daily basis) and project officer was conducted, project progress monitoring was implemented and deliverables and milestones were tracked, Data Management Plan and has been prepared and annual report of parters' activities submitted.
The increasing of knowledge in the field of hemato – oncology and other aspects necessary to implement research, such as laboratory skills and techniques, soft skills etc. through lectures, workshops and seminars was developed. The mobility of staff resulted in gaining an overview of scientific topics covered in the partner institution, the used methodologies, and the equipment currently lacking in the IHG PAS. Additionally, it supported the transfer of knowledge, good practice exchange and discussions about the studies on hematological malignancies. Through outreach activities, the visibility and recognition of IHG PAS, as well as the consortium partners, was increased. Moreover, the knowledge regarding hemato-oncology research and its meaning for health in the general public was disseminated. The efforts of the consortium members led to the project being implemented as efficiently as possible during the pandemic times.
New collaborations emerging from the project - added value of the project:
- The role of circular RNAs in NHL and cHL (UMCG and IHG PAS)
- Analisis of the germinal predisposition to cHL (UULM and IHG PAS)
Scientific publications acknowledging NEXT_LEVEL: https://www.nextlevel-h2020.eu/publications/(opens in new window)
Grant applications from IHG PAS in the field of hemato-oncology: https://www.nextlevel-h2020.eu/projects/(opens in new window)
- The role of circular RNAs in NHL and cHL (UMCG and IHG PAS)
- Analisis of the germinal predisposition to cHL (UULM and IHG PAS)
Scientific publications acknowledging NEXT_LEVEL: https://www.nextlevel-h2020.eu/publications/(opens in new window)
Grant applications from IHG PAS in the field of hemato-oncology: https://www.nextlevel-h2020.eu/projects/(opens in new window)