Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BIONANOSENS (Deeping collaboration on novel biomolecular electronics based on “smart” nanomaterials)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-10-01 al 2021-12-31
The Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is one of the country's leading institutions in life sciences research. The IMBG has an exemplary programme in analytical biotechnologies, a field that uses cutting-edge technologies to drive biological macromolecules as supersensitive receptors and signal transducers for a variety of analysing applications. BIONANOSENS is bringing together the IMBG with EU partners (France, Germany, Austria) to build the Institute's capacity and create an internationally renowned Centre of Excellence in analytical biotechnologies. The Institute's world-class scientists will benefit also in areas ranging from proposal writing and grant management to networking and mentoring young scientists, complementing the existing scientific expertise with the skills to keep research funds and new talents flowing in.
BIONANOSENS works along the standards of managing and conducting EU funded research and innovation projects, including dimensions onResponsible Research and Innovation (RRI), gender balance, open access (Data management, Intellectual Property management), exploitation and commercialisation orientation, and ethics. To foster understanding about and support the practical implementation of these European standards in future EU R&I projects with participation of IMBG, capacity-building activities in this area are implemented as an substantial part of BIONANOSENS.
Due to its strong research background and modern biotechnological developments, IMBG in 2020 became the first research centre in Ukraine–to create SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test kits for the Ukrainian healthcare system. This innovative development was carried out in accordance with the Decision of the Ukrainian Council for National Security and Defence made on 13.03.2020 https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/n0002525-20#Text and the corresponding Decree of the President of Ukraine #87/2020 https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/872020-32741.In 2021, IMBG was involved in monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Ukraine and in the prospective development of an Ukrainian vaccine against COVID-19..
The overarching objective to turn IMBG into a Centre of Excellence is connected to three main sub-objectives to be reached by the project as well:
– First, the detailed elaboration of the “smart” bio-molecular systems,
- second, the increased commercialisation of the Institute’s research results and third the build-up of a better innovation management structure.
BIONANOSENS works along the standards of managing and conducting EU funded research and innovation projects, including dimensions onResponsible Research and Innovation (RRI), gender balance, open access (Data management, Intellectual Property management), exploitation and commercialisation orientation, and ethics. To foster understanding about and support the practical implementation of these European standards in future EU R&I projects with participation of IMBG, capacity-building activities in this area are implemented as an substantial part of BIONANOSENS.
Due to its strong research background and modern biotechnological developments, IMBG in 2020 became the first research centre in Ukraine–to create SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test kits for the Ukrainian healthcare system. This innovative development was carried out in accordance with the Decision of the Ukrainian Council for National Security and Defence made on 13.03.2020 https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/n0002525-20#Text and the corresponding Decree of the President of Ukraine #87/2020 https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/872020-32741.In 2021, IMBG was involved in monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Ukraine and in the prospective development of an Ukrainian vaccine against COVID-19..
The overarching objective to turn IMBG into a Centre of Excellence is connected to three main sub-objectives to be reached by the project as well:
– First, the detailed elaboration of the “smart” bio-molecular systems,
- second, the increased commercialisation of the Institute’s research results and third the build-up of a better innovation management structure.
Despite the pandemic-related overall situation and its consequences, the BIONANOSENS consortium ensured a smooth project implementation through adjusting to the given situation by moving several events to an online format. Even though Covid-19 forced the consortium to adapt working online predominantly, a few events could be still organised physically. The list below includes all activities completed.
- Initial Scientific Meeting Programme and Resolution held online in month 2
- The BIONANOSENS General Assembly meeting held online in month 2
- Marketing analysis of IMBG Biomolecular electronics innovation capacities made by influenced Ukrainian economists
- Data Management Plan developed
- Dissemination and Exploitation plan developed
- Research activities in accordance with the common scientific directions defined during the Initial scientific meeting
- 3 articles in valuable peer reviewed scientific journals
- 2 articles about BIONANOSENS project and its activities in leading Ukrainian scientific journals (“Biopolymers and Cell” and “Sensor Electronics and Мicrosystem Technologies”)
- Creation of IMBG Innovation Management Unit (IMU) and planning of its activities
- Trainings of IMBG IMU by advanced EU partners
- Participation in the Twinning Project Days conference (24 – 25 March, 2021)
- Several online meetings of the project management (with Tasks leaders from IMBG, LIP, HZDR), and offline management meeting with ZSI in Kyiv.
- Infoday about possibilities of the new EU Framework programme Horizon Europe given for Ukrainian stakeholders by the best ZSI project managers
- Starting development Innovative of IMBG PhD and Masters programmes on biomolecular electronics
- Launch of the Call for start-ups in biomolecular electronics by IMBG in cooperation with advanced EU partners
- Annual prizes for the best scientific article in valuable international peer-reviewed journals on biotechnology for IMBG ESR and experienced researchers (in 2020 and 2021)
- Project website creation
- Collaborative internet platform creation
- Printed materials: the project leaflet, Calendar 2021, Calendar 2022, poster for exhibition (in Ukrainian)
At the end of the first project`s period, the next stages of the BIONANOSENS implementation were planned in details, such as:
1) the Second Scientific Meeting (month 18) Provisional Programme and Resolution are developed;
2) the Summer school on technology transfer activities is planned for month 22.
- Initial Scientific Meeting Programme and Resolution held online in month 2
- The BIONANOSENS General Assembly meeting held online in month 2
- Marketing analysis of IMBG Biomolecular electronics innovation capacities made by influenced Ukrainian economists
- Data Management Plan developed
- Dissemination and Exploitation plan developed
- Research activities in accordance with the common scientific directions defined during the Initial scientific meeting
- 3 articles in valuable peer reviewed scientific journals
- 2 articles about BIONANOSENS project and its activities in leading Ukrainian scientific journals (“Biopolymers and Cell” and “Sensor Electronics and Мicrosystem Technologies”)
- Creation of IMBG Innovation Management Unit (IMU) and planning of its activities
- Trainings of IMBG IMU by advanced EU partners
- Participation in the Twinning Project Days conference (24 – 25 March, 2021)
- Several online meetings of the project management (with Tasks leaders from IMBG, LIP, HZDR), and offline management meeting with ZSI in Kyiv.
- Infoday about possibilities of the new EU Framework programme Horizon Europe given for Ukrainian stakeholders by the best ZSI project managers
- Starting development Innovative of IMBG PhD and Masters programmes on biomolecular electronics
- Launch of the Call for start-ups in biomolecular electronics by IMBG in cooperation with advanced EU partners
- Annual prizes for the best scientific article in valuable international peer-reviewed journals on biotechnology for IMBG ESR and experienced researchers (in 2020 and 2021)
- Project website creation
- Collaborative internet platform creation
- Printed materials: the project leaflet, Calendar 2021, Calendar 2022, poster for exhibition (in Ukrainian)
At the end of the first project`s period, the next stages of the BIONANOSENS implementation were planned in details, such as:
1) the Second Scientific Meeting (month 18) Provisional Programme and Resolution are developed;
2) the Summer school on technology transfer activities is planned for month 22.
The BIONANOSENS activities performed during the first reporting period have had a great impact on IMBG researchers, infrastructure, innovation development capacities, as well a socio-economic impact. Three examples are listed below. In particular:
• The Initial Scientific Meeting Programme and Resolution held online with participation of an external expert on innovation management and one expert on international collaboration
• Marketing analysis of IMBG bio-molecular electronics innovation capacities made in cooperation with the renowned Ukrainian economists
• Creation of IMBG Innovation Management Unit (IMU) and planning of its activities.
The taken steps are expected to conclude in the development of the IMBG R&I Strategy in bio-molecular electronics - “Strategy for Excellence” - towards the end of the project.
Regarding research activities, work was performed in accordance with the common scientific directions defined during the first scientific meeting.
In view of boosting the attractiveness of IMBG, BIONANOSENS aimed to address ESR and young scientists with specifically designed activities.
Raising the visibility of IMBG in the Ukrainian and European R&I sector was supported by several dissemination activities during the first reporting period:
• 3 published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• 2 published articles about BIONANOSENS project and its activities in leading Ukrainian scientific journals
• Project website launch and maintenance
• Distribution of printed materials: the project leaflet, 2021 and 2022 calendars, poster.
• Annual prizes for the best scientific article in international peer-reviewed journals on biotechnology for IMBG ESR and experienced researchers
Drawing on this assessment after 15 months of implementing the BIONANOSENS project, the consortium achieved to strengthen the capacities of IMBG to successfully compete for national, EU and international R&I funding in first parts. It will continue working towards this goal also in the second period.
• The Initial Scientific Meeting Programme and Resolution held online with participation of an external expert on innovation management and one expert on international collaboration
• Marketing analysis of IMBG bio-molecular electronics innovation capacities made in cooperation with the renowned Ukrainian economists
• Creation of IMBG Innovation Management Unit (IMU) and planning of its activities.
The taken steps are expected to conclude in the development of the IMBG R&I Strategy in bio-molecular electronics - “Strategy for Excellence” - towards the end of the project.
Regarding research activities, work was performed in accordance with the common scientific directions defined during the first scientific meeting.
In view of boosting the attractiveness of IMBG, BIONANOSENS aimed to address ESR and young scientists with specifically designed activities.
Raising the visibility of IMBG in the Ukrainian and European R&I sector was supported by several dissemination activities during the first reporting period:
• 3 published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• 2 published articles about BIONANOSENS project and its activities in leading Ukrainian scientific journals
• Project website launch and maintenance
• Distribution of printed materials: the project leaflet, 2021 and 2022 calendars, poster.
• Annual prizes for the best scientific article in international peer-reviewed journals on biotechnology for IMBG ESR and experienced researchers
Drawing on this assessment after 15 months of implementing the BIONANOSENS project, the consortium achieved to strengthen the capacities of IMBG to successfully compete for national, EU and international R&I funding in first parts. It will continue working towards this goal also in the second period.