RACE: RNA and Cell Biology - from Fundamental Research to Therapies

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Polish science, including biomedical research, has made huge advancesin the last 30 years. However, the advancement of itsfundamental scientific discoveries toward medical or commercial applications still lags behind the top countries, worldwide. This gap stems from the limited experience of Polish researchers in the field of translational research. The International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB) aims to close this gap by building the capacity to translate basic knowledge into clinical innovations and by introducing an entrepreneurship culture in the scientific environment in Poland. Since its creation, the IIMCB has been a lighthouse of research and management excellence in Poland. Recognising the Institute’s achievements and future potential, the Polish government awarded funding to build an expanded, modern IIMCB headquarters, which will increase our capacity up to 20 research groups. The RACE project under the Teaming programme will help us achieve this reality and successfully upgrade the IIMCB to a world-class translational research Centre of Excellence in RNA and Cell Biology. Together with our Advanced Partners, the Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit of the University of Edinburgh (UoE–MRC HGU), and VIB in Belgium, we have identified five Specific Objectives that are key to achieve our goal, namely: recruitment and training of the next generation of entrepreneurial group leaders and researchers (Objectives 1, 2), establishment of modern and self-sustaining Core Facilities adapted to commercial use (Objective 3), implementation of systemic Technology Transfer (Objectives 4) and administrative support (Objective 5). Ultimately, the RACE project will make the IIMCB a reference model in translational research countrywide and elevate the Institute to the top tier of European research centres ready to engage in competitive EU and global biomedical research and innovation projects at the frontiers of science.