INNOVATION HUB FOR SURFACE AND COLLOID BIOLOGY RESEARCH

Project Information

SurfBio

Grant agreement ID: 952379

DOI

10.3030/952379

Project closed

EC signature date 10 June 2020

Start date 1 December 2020

End date 30 November 2023

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 899 947,50

EU contribution

€ 899 947,50

Coordinated by

INSTITUT JOZEF STEFAN
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SurfBio (INNOVATION HUB FOR SURFACE AND COLLOID BIOLOGY RESEARCH)

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SurfBio project addresses the interdisciplinarity of a new scientific field, colloid biology, with the goal of developing the Innovation Hub on Colloid Biology, which will interconnect the state-of-the-art technologies used in different domains including but not limited to biophysics, biochemistry, material science and system biology. Twinning activities of JSI, the coordinator, together with research partners University of Burgos (UBU), Gent University (GU), Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and AXIA, a private SME, are aimed to catalyze innovation for the core of the project, focusing on state-of-the-art analytical methods for studying cell-cell and cell-surface interactions and improving JSI research and managerial capabilities, strengthening the consortium, ensuring grant and service based sustainability and promoting the new scientific field of colloid biology.
As conclusion, the main result of the SurfBio project is that JSI's scientific advancement supported by project partners positions the JSI as an equal partner, enabling collaborative research activities on microbe-to-microbe and microbe-to-material interactions that are canalised through newly established SurfBio Innovation Hub. The SurfBio Innovation Hub is focused on addressing EU strategic areas: health and medicine, design of advanced materials, sustainable food production and networks for the transition to a circular economy, translating to improved bioremediation of polluted environments, production of biopharmaceuticals, sustainable production and processing of functional, utilization of secondary raw materials in metallurgy and the food industry. The project activities have been successfully implemented that resulted in synergies between different research groups within the project coordinator settings and between project partners. Even more, the developed management and business model for the SurfBio Innovation hub, strategies of dissemination and communication as well as establishing channels and developed new educational programmes are especially taking care for further expanding colloid biology scientific community.

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

On a basis of the preparatory phase with the emphasis on methods and approaches given in the scope of WP1 and WP2 the RP2 was focused on the implementation of the methods and knowledge within the JSI, especially supported by the activities of the WP3. Accordingly, senior-stage researchers (SSR) and early-stage researchers obtained hands-on training during the secondments at the facilities of 4 research partners (HZDR, UBU, GU and WUR). At JSI intradepartmental hands-on training through the interaction between physical, chemical as well as technology transfer departments. The implementation phase of various approaches was concluded with successfully prepared 2 MOOCs.
At the International Postgraduate School new module was opened with 4 courses: “Microbial Biofilms”, “Cell entrapment and encapsulation technologies”, “Colloid biology” and “Environmental Biotechnology”. During the SurfBio project, a roadmap for the Interactome database, facilitating the storage and processing of diverse results and data generated by partners has been developed. This database will support cross-querying across experiments, unveiling novel interactions. Collaborative efforts among partners and the working group will input data, with plans to expand the network and contribute to the database in the future.
All these activities to upgrade the JSI had a common goal to develop the SurfBio Surface and Colloid Biology Innovation Hub. In the scope of WP4 the strategies as well as business plan together with constitutive bodies such as GAC were developed in order to launch the hub. Moreover, to accumulate interests in the Innovation hub 3 workshops were organized as well as 2 Schools where
collectively more than 200 participants were involved. The building of the community through the SurfBio project also successfully spread the interests not only in Slovenia but all over the world that was indicated especially at the final event where only one-third represented Slovenian listeners.
Through the core WP5 activities, the dissemination was very intensive since more than 383 social media contributions were prepared and partners of the SurfBio project participated in 11 workshops and 23 conferences. The 2 patent applications served as catalysts for the evaluation of the industrial landscape as well as communicating the industry that on one hand served as a dissemination activity and on the other hand as a platform for the preparation of future research collaboration. By upgrading and managing the SurfBio project JSI also obtained new management skills and on a basis of WP6 activities with the support of UBU and AXIA the management plan for the Colloid Biology group and Innovation hub was implemented which included preparation of the Horizon Europe application
and successfully prepared and published a MOOC on Project Management.
The key exploitable results such as the implementation of 4 new curricula, establishing GAC and establishing an Innovation hub the SurfBio community has been built and can furthermore contribute to further development of the colloid biology field. As a result, there are already new involved national and international partners collaborating in the open lab concept of the Innovation Hub, collaborative development of an international master program and gaining interest from industries and technology parks across the Europe.

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)

Colloid biology is a new scientific field not familiar to a wider scientific audience andhas been illuminated by the SurfBio project, forging interdisciplinary connections among biology, physics, and chemistry. This collaborative effort has introduced new knowledge to JSI, spanning system and computational biology, material science, remediation, proposal preparation, and management. This enriched expertise enhances the sustainability of the Innovation hub and contributes to the broader field of colloid biology.

The project has catalyzed the progression of the Innovation Hub through open laboratory phases, fostering collaborations and knowledge exchange in colloid biology. The Colloid Biology Group actively engages in regional impact, managing international projects on the valorization of olive waste material and initiating new collaborations, such as the upcoming project between GU and JSI in material science.

Beyond the academic realm, SurfBio initiatives extend to educational and societal domains. Workshops and Summer Schools are paving the way for a yearly event, fostering broader community involvement. An international master program is in development, supported by the UBU partner through the Erasmus Mundus program. Indirectly developed methods from SurfBio contribute to scientific publications and collaborative projects with GU and UBU, addressing soil contamination issues with positive environmental impact.

Researchers from the project have actively engaged with the wider society through lectures, demonstrations, and school visits. Participating in events like Researchers Night and open days at JSI, they have sparked increased interest in science and environmental awareness within the broader community. The SurfBio project's multifaceted impact encompasses scientific advancement, educational initiatives, and societal engagement.

rollup-inhb-lastv-small.jpg