What inclusion in the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap means
Work on preparing the applications began during the previous term of the University's authorities, at the initiative of Prof. Piotr Pruszczyk, then Vice-Rector for Science and Technology Transfer. It was a process lasting several months and involving the establishment of national consortia, the development of scientific concepts and the preparation of application documentation. Further activities related to finalising the application process and representing the projects during the competitive procedure were carried out in close cooperation with the current WUM authorities, which made it possible to bring the initiatives to a successful ending.
The inclusion of projects involving the Medical University of Warsaw in the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap confirms their high scientific quality, strategic importance for the development of Polish science, and potential to support research of international significance. At the same time, it opens up new opportunities for obtaining funding, developing cooperation with national and international partners, and establishing links with European research infrastructures, including ESFRI infrastructures.
This success is the result of a long-term, consistently implemented strategy for developing research infrastructure at the Medical University of Warsaw, as well as cooperation between the University's scientific community and its authorities in successive terms of office.
WUM takes the lead
1. POLTOX Infrastructure – Prof. Ireneusz Grudziński, project leader
POLTOX is a nationwide, distributed research infrastructure integrating the potential of seven leading research centres: the Medical University of Warsaw, the University of Gdańsk, the Medical University of Gdańsk, the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, the Medical University of Białystok, the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź, and the National Veterinary Research Institute – National Research Institute in Puławy.
What is the aim of the project?
The aim of the infrastructure is to create a national platform for research in modern toxicology, biomonitoring, and the safety assessment of new chemical substances, medicinal products, nanomaterials and medical technologies. POLTOX will support the development of innovative methods for assessing toxicological risk, using new approach methodologies (NAMs), artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies. A particularly important significance of the project is the development of a national population biomonitoring system enabling the assessment of the impact of environmental factors on population health. As part of the project, an integrated infrastructure will be established to facilitate interdisciplinary research combining toxicology, medicine and biology, chemistry, environmental sciences and modern digital technologies. The infrastructure will make use of advanced research equipment, including mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, molecular biology systems and artificial intelligence tools supporting data analysis and toxicological risk modelling.
What is the significance of the project?
The inclusion of POLTOX in the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap opens up new opportunities for research of strategic importance to public health protection, chemical and environmental safety, and the development of innovative medical technologies. The infrastructure will increase the potential of Polish research teams to participate in international scientific programmes, enhance cooperation with industry and regulatory institutions, and contribute to the transfer of research findings into economic and clinical practice.
2. CePT-ICBS – Interdisciplinary Centre for Research on Ageing to Improve Quality of Life – Prof. Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel, Prof. Magdalena Kucia and Beata Piekutowska, Director of the CePT Office
The Medical University of Warsaw is the leader of this initiative. The project will be carried out in cooperation with Warsaw University of Technology, the University of Warsaw, the M. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Mossakowski Medical Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
What is the aim of the project?
The project envisages to establish a modern, interdisciplinary research centre focused on the processes of ageing. It will enable a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of age-related diseases and devise new methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment improving the quality of life of older people.
The project will create advanced research infrastructure enabling studies in molecular biology, genomics, regenerative medicine, biophysics, artificial intelligence and personalised medicine. This will include, among other things, the acquisition of unique equipment for biomedical imaging, genomic sequencing, preclinical research and large-scale analysis of biological data. The Centre will conduct research into the epigenetics of ageing, mitochondrial function, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and new medicines fostering healthy ageing.
What is the significance of the project?
CePT-ICBS has the opportunity to become one of the leading ageing research centres in Central and Eastern Europe. The results of the research may contribute to earlier detection of age-related diseases, the development of more effective therapies, and improvements in patients' quality and length of life. The project will also foster the advances of personalised medicine, new diagnostic technologies and innovative medicines meeting the challenges of an ageing society.
3. CARTERNA – new infrastructure for mRNA and CAR-T therapies – Dr hab. Radosław Zagożdżon, project leader
CARTERNA is a nationwide research infrastructure integrating the scientific potential of the Medical University of Warsaw, the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, the Pomeranian Medical University and the University of Warsaw.
What is the aim of the project?
The aim is to develop a new generation of therapies using mRNA and CAR-T technologies, which may be used, among other applications, in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and in transplantation medicine. The project envisages creating an integrated, distributed infrastructure enabling research from basic and preclinical studies to the preparation of new therapeutic solutions for clinical trials. A distinctive feature of the initiative is the use of Polish achievements in synthetic mRNA technology and the development of innovative methods for temporary modification of immune cells, designed to improve the safety and efficacy of CAR-T therapies. WUM contributes unique expertise in cell therapies, preclinical research and the preparation of therapies for clinical applications. The infrastructure will draw, among other resources, on the potential of the Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, the Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapies, the Department of Immunology and the University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw.
What is the significance of the project?
The inclusion of CARTERNA in the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap confirms the project's high scientific quality and its significance for the development of biotechnology and translational medicine in Poland. The infrastructure will create conditions for conducting interdisciplinary research, will accelerate the transfer of research findings into clinical practice and will increase the competitiveness of Polish research teams in international scientific programmes.
WUM as a consortium partner
1. SIMBa strategic infrastructure – Dorota Szubstarska, University Centre for Clinical Research Support, and Tadeusz Turzyński, WUM Data Hub
SIMBa is a modern research infrastructure combining quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) systems in order to develop innovative solutions for digital medicine, personalised medicine and security. The project responds to the growing importance of advanced medical data analysis and the use of emerging technologies in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of civilisation.
The consortium comprises: Gdańsk University of Technology – leader, the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, the Medical University of Gdańsk, the Medical University of Warsaw, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, the University of Gdańsk, and the Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences in Elbląg.
What is the aim of the project?
The project envisages establishing an integrated infrastructure comprising three complementary laboratories: medical data collection and secure data sharing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Their cooperation will enable research based on large scientific datasets, the development of artificial intelligence algorithms, and the use of quantum computers to solve the most complex biomedical problems.
WUM will contribute its experience in clinical and preclinical research, as well as competence in the collection and analysis of scientific data. WUM's participation will facilitate the development of modern diagnostic and predictive methods based on the analysis of imaging, genomic, clinical and epidemiological data, contributing to the development of precision medicine and research into lifestyle-based diseases.
What is the significance of the project?
One of the most important outcomes of the initiative will be the creation of a unique research platform in Poland integrating quantum computing, artificial intelligence and a dedicated data repository. The infrastructure will enable research into personalised medicine, the prediction of lifestyle-based diseases, medical image analysis, designing new drugs and the development of secure digital technologies.
The implementation of the SIMBa project will contribute to strengthen the potential of Polish science in digital medicine, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, while enhancing cooperation between universities, research institutes and industrial partners. For the Medical University of Warsaw, the participation in the consortium represents an opportunity to co-create one of the most advanced research infrastructures in Central and Eastern Europe and to develop research at the intersection of medicine, computer science and modern technologies.
2. PolCeTh – development of next-generation cell therapies – Dr hab. Ilona Szabłowska-Gadomska
The Medical University of Warsaw is a partner in the PolCeTh consortium – Polish Infrastructure for Translational Research in Cell Therapy, led by the Mossakowski Medical Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
What is the aim of the project?
The aim of the initiative is to establish a nationwide, distributed research infrastructure supporting the development, validation and implementation of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) – from basic research, through preclinical studies, to Phase I/II clinical trials.
The consortium comprises six leading scientific institutions: the Mossakowski Medical Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences – leader, the Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Pomeranian Medical University, Jagiellonian University, and the Medical University of Warsaw.
PolCeTh is to establish a national translational research platform integrating the scientific, clinical and technological potential of its partners. The infrastructure has been designed as a distributed network of laboratories and research centres located throughout Poland, enabling comprehensive research into cell therapies – from the discovery of mechanisms of action, through preclinical validation, to preparing products for clinical applications in accordance with European regulatory requirements.
The Medical University of Warsaw brings unique through competences related to the activity of the Laboratory for Cell Research and Application (LBBK WUM), comprising an (ATMP) Pharmaceutical Factory, a Tissue and Cell Bank and a Biobank. This base enables translational research, the development and manufacture of advanced therapy medicinal products and their implementation which ensures that the implemented projects comply with international quality and safety standards.
What is the significance of the project?
One of the consortium's key objectives is to develop common quality standards for translational research and establish a national proficiency testing schemes for laboratories working with cell therapies. WUM plays a particularly important role in this area thanks to the LBBK's experience in international proficiency testing schemes organised by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and the organisation of similar activities at national level. This will help to improve the reproducibility of research results and accelerate the implementation of new therapies
3. Nationwide Epidemiological Research Network EPILINK.pl – Prof. Bolesław Samoliński, Dr hab. Filip Raciborski, Dr Aneta Tomaszewska
The Medical University of Warsaw is a partner in the EPILINK.pl – EPIdemiologicaL Investigations centers NetworK in Poland initiative, submitted by the Medical University of Białystok to the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap. The project envisages the establishment of a nationwide, distributed research infrastructure integrating leading research centres conducting epidemiological and public health research.
What is the aim of the project?
The aim of EPILINK.pl is to create an integrated system enabling the conduction of large-scale epidemiological studies based on representative samples of the Polish population and conducted in accordance with international scientific standards. The infrastructure will combine the research expertise of the partners, modern data analysis technologies, omics methods, solutions using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse population data.
Particular emphasis will be placed on data security, the harmonisation of research methods and the creation of common standards for epidemiological information management.
The consortium comprises eleven leading Polish scientific and medical institutions, including: the Medical University of Białystok – leader, the Medical University of Gdańsk, the National Institute of Cardiology, the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, the National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute, Jagiellonian University Medical College, the Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Wrocław Medical University, the Medical University of Łódź, the University of Białystok and the Medical University of Warsaw.
EPILINK.pl will serve as a national cooperation platform enabling the conduct of large cohort and population-based studies, supporting the development of national health policy, the prevention of lifestyle-based diseases and monitoring of the health of the population. The project envisages the creation of a shared data management system, standard operating procedures (SOPs), a central data repository and mechanisms enabling interdisciplinary research on a national scale. The Medical University of Warsaw brings to consortium many years of experience in epidemiology, public health and e-health.
One of the key assumptions of the initiative is close cooperation with European and global research infrastructures. EPILINK.pl plans to integrate with initiatives such as BBMRI-ERIC, cooperate with consortia conducting cohort studies, and develop artificial intelligence-based tools for analysing epidemiological data. Thanks to this, Polish research centres will be able to more actively participate in international research projects and increase the visibility and influence of their research on the development of global science.
What is the significance of the project?
The establishment of the infrastructure will bring measurable scientific and social benefits. EPILINK.pl will enable research into factors affecting population health, support evidence-based health policy, the development of new analytical technologies and the preparation of recommendations for national health policy.
The project also envisages the development of research competences among young scientists, strengthening cooperation between academic centres and creating modern facilities for epidemiological and public health studies in Poland.
Information website on the results of the call for proposals for inclusion in the Polish Research Infrastructure Roadmap