INSPIRE

INtegrating the emerging research Potential of the University of Athens Cancer Research Group in the European research area

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main concept of INsPiRE is the scientific and technological reinforcement of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) basic and translational Cancer Research Group (NKUA-CRG) towards its integration into the more advanced core of the European cancer research area. Thus, a central objective of the proposal is to gain a full convergence of NKUA-CRG to the European research area of excellence, by facilitating the transformation of an existing multidisciplinary high-quality research, technological and education unit to a research entity unique in Greece and Southern-Eastern Europe that would be comparable to other outstanding research and/or educational units in Europe. This objective will be achieved via a number of concerted actions and a carefully designed work plan. Among the main axes of INsPiRE is the mobilisation, increase of visibility and exposure of the NKUA-CRG human resources to an international scientific environment via two-way secondments, conferences, invited lectures and recruitment of experienced researchers. Also, the strengthening of existing links and the transfer of know-how from ten strategic partners located in some of the most eminent European research entities, namely, the Universities of Geneva, Oslo and Tuebingen, the Technical University of Munich, the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Danish Institute of Cancer Biology and the Imperial College London, is foreseen. The acquisition of new state-of-the-art instrumentation for laser tissue microdissection/capture; confocal laser scanning microscopy live cell imaging; tissue cryo-sectioning/freeze substitution for advanced immuno-electron microscopy; nucleic acid sequencing; advanced flow cytometry and high throughput isolation and characterization of novel bioactive compounds will (among others) be part of a drug screening platform. This platform will enable NKUA-CRG to offer various cost-effective solutions to biotechnological and/or pharmaceutical companies and to facilitate lead-compound identification. Finally, the popularization, promotion and dissemination of the research activities to the scientific community and the stakeholders will be part of this project. The anticipated scientific and technological reinforcement of NKUA-CRG will enhance its existing scientific, educational and technological strengths, leading to the establishment of a research entity unique in Greece and South-Eastern Europe, fully integrated to the current European research system.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Significant scientific and technological developments in cancer research at the University of Athens in Greece are promoting integration into the advanced core of the European Research Area (ERA) for Cancer.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The main concept of the EU-funded http://inspire.uoa.gr (INSPIRE) project is the scientific and technological reinforcement of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens' (NKUA) basic and translational Cancer Research Group (NKUA-CRG). The main objective of the proposal is to help the transformation of an existing multidisciplinary research, technological and education unit to a new entity in Greece that would be comparable to other outstanding facilities and research entities in Europe. The 3-year project joins 10 strategic partners located in some of the most eminent European research entities, strengthening existing links and the transfer of know-how.

Over its initial 18-month period, partners assembled an advisory board for the evaluation of scientific and technical strategy and project progress. Specific state-of-the-art instruments were purchased, and the recruitment of experienced researchers and engineers was successfully accomplished and properly implemented. Two-way secondments with its EU partners allowed the NKUA-CRG human resources to be part of an international scientific environment.

The INSPIRE participating research groups produced a large number of high-impact publications in international peer-reviewed journals, and from those, INSPIRE was acknowledged in 28 research or review articles. . Project initiatives and progress were presented at six international meetings and workshops.

As part of its translational dimension NKUA-CRG search for the discovery of novel molecular tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy response prediction in order to create panels of tumor biomarkers that will assist the decision making of clinicians. Moreover, NKUA-CRG search for new agents with anti-cancer activity focuses, in part, on the compounds isolated from the plants of the Mediterranean basin. This region of the world is a unique source of novel natural compounds as it is characterised by extended biodiversity. A specific beneficial nutritional pattern, the so-called Mediterranean diet, magnifies this localised advantage.

NKUA-CRG is using the opportunities provided by the project for the creation of future strategic partnerships with eminent EU research institutions, as well as for the reinforcement of its existing scientific, educational and technological strengths, supporting its integration into the most advanced EU research system.