Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally - leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research

Project Information

VirA

Grant agreement ID: 952376

DOI

10.3030/952376

Project closed

EC signature date 29 June 2020

Start date 1 December 2020

End date 30 November 2023

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 899 992,50

EU contribution

€ 899 992,50

Coordinated by

RIGAS STRADINA UNIVERSITATE
Latvia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - VirA (Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally - leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research)

Reporting period: 2022-03-01 to 2023-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Autoimmune diseases (AD) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, creating a challenge for researchers and clinicians to find evidence-based solutions for AD diagnostics, treatment and prevention. Due to the complexity of autoimmune disease research, which requires multidisciplinary approaches, one of the main problems is insufficient research capacity in low-performing Member State research institutions. Therefore, the lack of networking between institutions of low performing Member States and internationally - leading institutions are slowing down progress in autoimmune disease research at the EU level.

The main goal of the Health Societal Challenge is better health for all. Its main policy objectives are to improve the health of people of working age by improved understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease manifestation in autoimmunity. This will lead to higher levels of well-being outcomes and promote healthy and active ageing, job creation and contribute to establishing the EU as a global leader in the health field. This will also result in a reduction in public spending and labour productivity losses.


The overall objective of the project is to promote autoimmune disease research capacity and fill networking gaps in the institution (RSU) of the low-performing Member State – Latvia, by establishing a consortium with leading research institutions from Italy - University of Ferrara, Germany - Ulm University, and Israel – SHEBA Medical Centre/Tel-Aviv University. The partner universities are the excellence centres (world leaders) that are forerunners in the corresponding areas and are capable of inspiring positive change in the research field and significantly impact future development by:
1) Increasing research excellence of the coordinating institution in the field of research as a result of the twinning exercise;
2) Enhancing the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of the coordinating institution;
3) Enhancing the scientific and technological capacity of the linked institutions with a principal focus on the university or research organization from the Widening Country

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

In the 1st period three virtual Workshops we reorganized on “New trends in autoimmune diseases immunological profiling” (with 74 participants); “Viral infections as aetiological or trigger factors of autoimmune diseases” (with 188 participants) and “Importance of differential diagnostic in rheumatic diseases” (with 90 listeners).

In the 2nd period following activities were carried out: Workshop “Morphological studies in autoimmnune disease research”, 13-14 October, 2022 (with 58 participants); Workshop “Basic aspects of biostatistics, clinical and laboratory data management”, 23-24 February, 2023 (with 33 participants); Practical workshop on proposal preparation and project management, 26-27 June, 2023 (with 29 participants); Seminar “Enhancement of scientific manuscripts preparation quality”, 28 March, 2022 (with 50 participants); Summer school “New trends in molecular and immunological detection methodology of persistent viral infections”, 9-15 July, 2022 (with 56 participants); Summer school “Clinical and laboratory data Management and modelling”, 3-7 July, 2023 (with 50 participants); International Conference “Autoimmune diseases: main problems and solutions” (with 130 participants) , 9-10 November, 2023 (with 130 participants).

New knowledge on actualities in autoimmunity research are acquired by participating in Friday Mosaic of Autoimmunity International Meetings organized by Israeli partners Prof Yehuda Shoenfeld). The 2nd ISRAEL – LATVIA – ITALY Symposium of Autoimmunity was organized in Nazareth, Israel, 20.05.2022 – 22.05.2022 (6 participants from Latvian side with 6 presentations, including 2 early/mid-career researchers. 30 research articles on autoimmunity are published within 2nd reporting period in open access journals, 4 of them in collaboration with partners from Italy, Israel and Germany, one manuscript is submitted for publication. PhD thesis (Dr.med.) “Thyroid autoimmunity: exploring the role of Th17-associated cytokines and pathomorphological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease” and BSc thesis: “Presence of human parvovirus B19 and activin in patients with ME/CFS” were defended. More than 30 reports were presented at international meetings/conferences/congresses. conferences/congresses (face to face or on-line due to the various COVID situations in different countries).

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)

Multidisciplinary research units focused on autoimmune diseases have been established and S&T potential and personal capacity of researchers in new methods/fields have been increased, despite limitations due to the COVID situation. Cooperation in various research directions is expanded by participating in seminars/meetings/conferences (mainly online). Publications in open access journals and coverage in the media (reports in professional organizations, participation in radio and TV programs, publication of popular scientific articles) promote recognition of university and researchers. Socio-economic impact is anticipated as diagnostic biomarkers usable in the clinic are explored, which in turn will allow for faster diagnosis leading to proper treatment approaches and disease management, as well as precision medicine in general.

Final Conference B.Prusty presentation

Final Conference leading researscher U.Berķis presentation

Final Conference leading researcher I.Čema presentation

Final Conference Italian PhD student

Final Conference participants