5th RTD Framework Programme
The Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (BRC), established in 1971, is an independent scientific organization supporting the development of basic molecular and cellular biology of Hungary. The staff of 500, includes 150 high level scientists of international recognition. The BRC is organized as a consortium of 5 Institutes, located in Szeged (Biophysics, Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Biology) and in Budapest (Enzymology). As a research center of international reputation, the BRC has trained more than 300 young scientists from all over the world and participated in the biology education programs of the Universities of Szeged and Budapest at undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D., and postdoctoral levels, in both Hungarian and English. BRC scientists publish their original results almost exclusively in recognized international scientific journals and present their data at international conferences. The Center has filed its innovations in patents. The scientific performance, management and financial structure of the BRC was recently evaluated by the European Molecular Biology Organization with a very positive result.
The BRC is governed by a Board of Directors, chaired by the Director General, but many management responsibilities have been delegated to the Directors of the Institutes. Scientific activity is organized in research teams dealing with various aspects of molecular biology directly related to the improvement of quality of life and health and environmental biotechnology. The flexible management structure, and the previously instituted diverse cooperation schemes with foreign research establishments, saved the integrity of the BRC through the turbulent economic situation associated with the socio-economic restructuring of the Hungarian Republic. The main source of income are governmental support through the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (30 %), and grants and contract work won in competitive systems in Hungary (20 %) and on the international scene (50 %).
The BRC has strong international ties manifested in bilateral and multilateral research and education exchange agreements, participation in European initiatives such as COST, EUREKA, ESF, EMBO, NATO, and in links with several research centres and universities in the USA and Japan. In the EU 5th Framework Programme, BRC scientists actively and successfully took part as proposal participants and as evaluators. An International Training Course, which provides post-graduate training for young scientists from developing countries, has been running at BRC for 28 years. The Center is the home of the UNESCO Environmental Biology Chair, and has produced scientists and professors now working in various domestic and foreign universities.
Turning scientific achievements into practical uses, and thereby contributing to the social and economical needs of the region and the country, is partly done through the separate Institute of Biotechnology, Bay Z. Foundation for Applied Research. The BRC is also proud of its increasingly successful, small spin-off enterprises, and medium-sized business partners. It has been acknowledged as a regional center of excellence in biotechnology by the Regional Development Programme of PHARE.
Future prospects of the BRC include advancing its leading role in Hungary, and in the Central Eastern European region as a basic research center. Following international trends, the BRC intends to focus its research on cellular molecular functions, i.e., understanding the functional role of genes and gene products in cell cycle regulation and cellular development in microbes, plants and animals. The methodology is a multidisciplinary approach, employing a range of techniques from structural biology to functional genomics and DNA chip technology. During the coming years, the BRC would like to become a core facility for international graduate and postgraduate education, as well as, extending its activities towards practical applications of outstanding basic research results.
The project, to formulate and realize a package of measures which will lead to the enhancement of the leading role of the Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (BRC), focuses on future biotechnology related research, education, and innovation. The package comprises numerous activities, such as: training for Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers, co-ordination of thematic research networks, establishing an independent international evaluation and advisory board, organization of workshops, international training schools and conferences and study visits of the researchers from the Centre to other institutions and vice versa.
A major socio-economical challenge for the countries in this region is to achieve the level of EU nations and eventually become effective members of the Union. Biotechnology is widely anticipated as the single major, technological, industrial, social breakthrough for the next decades. The new industry requires substantial intellectual contribution, with less traditional industrial and raw material input, therefore it ideally suits the needs and available resources of the region of south-east Hungary and the surrounding Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC).
Objectives
Deliverables
1. Active participation in the 5th Framework Programme activities. Participation in at least 6 successful RTD and/or Accompanying Measures proposals. Operation of a Liaison Office to support and advise scientists in developing partnership and proposal submission.
2. Contribution to capacity building through attracting young researchers. At least 25 young scientists from the EU and Associated States will participate in the International Training Course (ITC) and at least 12 will start their studies in the Ph.D. training curricula of the University of Szeged.
3. Increased regional coverage and scope of activities through linkage with the economic and social environment. Participation in regional development programme planning. Adoption of best practice from the experience of the International Advisory Board.
4. Support for the economic and social needs of the region. Participation in the establishment and setting up of a biotechnology industrial park in the region. Support the growth of already existing spin-off SMEs and the formation of new spin-off companies. Participation in the "European Biovalleys" EU Thematic Network and in the "EU Biotechnology Education" Socrates/Erasmus network.
5. Increased networking with other Centres. Bilateral exchange of personnel. At least 10 new ITC student fellowships will be reserved for young scientists applying from these institutions.