Microbial communities in biomedical and environmental areas, and systems biology
The main goal of the proposed project is to strengthen scientific excellence and innovation capacity at Charles University and its Biotechnology and Biomedicine Center (CUNI-BIOCEV) via collaboration with Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and University Paris Diderot-Institute Jacques Monod (UPDiderot-IJM) in the field of high throughput molecular profiling of biological systems that will foster innovative research of complex microbial communities and their impact on health and environment. This research area includes the analysis of viromes, eukaryotic and bacterial microbioms, and selected defined model microbial communities to tackle challenges such as discovery of new pathogens (viruses), identification of new biomarkers for disease, drug targets and their applications. The research of complex microbial communities is based on three pillars: excellent knowledge in microbiology, high throughput technologies that generate voluminous datasets, and computation of these ""big data"". Strength of CUNI is an excellent knowledge of microbial systems important for human and animal health, and environmental issues. Weakness is the research capacity in analysis of ""big data"", limited experience in innovative research and technology transfer. Thus, twinning activities will be focused on promotion of knowledge and research capacity of a multidisciplinary team at CUNI in the defined area of bioinformatics, implementing cutting edge multiomics technologies, and establishing a pipeline from an excellent basic research to high value-added applications. Activities include exchange of scientists, joint supervision of young scientist, organization of seminars and lectures, participation in EMBL and CUNI courses, and dissemination in scientific community, industries and public. The project aim will be achieved via a complementary expertise of EU leading partners, which will reinforce an excellent research and competitiveness of CUNI.