Ia Pantsulaia, Associate Professor

Immunology department, Tbilisi State Medical UniversitySeptember, 2015Tbilisi, Georgia

Success stories and lessons learnt from participation of Georgia in international programs

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Investigation the immunological dysfunction in successful ageing and in the development complex diseases (diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer etc).

Identification biomarkers involved in the progress of complex diseases and improve their therapeutic potential.

Estimation genetic and environmental determinants of immunological responses.

Detection of the immunomodulatory activity of biologically active substances and Investigation their effects on various immune responses (stimulatory or inhibitory).

Osteoimmunology - The connections between bone and cartilage remodeling process and immune system.

2013-2016Healthy ageing research center (FP7)My sub-project title: Endothelial cells senescence associated secretory

(SASP) phenotype in various senescence modelsThe aim of Healthy Ageing Research Centre (HARC) is to develop a top-level,

distinguished medical research centre in the field of ageing-associated diseases, as well as to increase participation in international research and develop innovation in the area of age-related diseases.

HARC brings together a group of 21 internationally recognized researchers at the Medical University of Lodz (most of them heading the University departments). The consortium consists more than 30 key researchers, with their research groups.

HARC is based on research teams from the Medical University of Lodz (MUL), which itself has benefited from the act of integration.

Research projects from 2008

2015-2017The role of immune parameters and circulating tumor cells in the development of colorectal cancer and metastases. Science and Technology Center of Ukraine. Georgian National Science Foundation. Principal Investigator

2015-2018Biomarkers and efficiency of treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer by resection and HIPEC procedure. Georgian National Science Foundation. Chief researcher

2014-2016The impact of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) on adaptive immune responses in patients with liver cancer. Georgian National Science Foundation. Researcher

2010-2013Possible Interaction of Endogenous Sodium Pump Inhibitors and Genetic Factors in the Development of Salt-sensitive Hypertension. Swiss national science foundation – SCOPES. Project Manager

2011-2013 Development of a novel bacterial preparation for immunotherapy of cancer. Science and Technology Center of Ukraine. Team Leader

2009-2010The protective role of edible plant-derived extracts on age-related immune dysfunction. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN UKRAINE; GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Project manager and Experimental Investigator

2008-2009The role of phenotypic and functional changes of regulatory T cells and cytokines in healthy aging. GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Principal Investigator

2008-2009Cytokines and Regulatory T-cells in Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus,Georgian National science Foundation. GEORGIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Chief Researcher

2008-2009

Investigation the possible effect and mechanism of the action of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mixture of Citrus Peel Extract on the immune-mediated liver injury. GEORGIAN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, U.S. CIVILIAN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, Principal Investigator

The US host: David Hafler, Professor, Director of Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Dept. of Neurology, Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, USA

How write a successful project proposal

Writing a research proposal is both science and art;

A good research proposal is based on scientific facts and on the art of clear communication.

Common advices before you begin assembling your application:

Read the eligibility criteria carefully;

don’t waste time preparing applications to programs for which you will not be considered.

Read all of the FAQs and training options;

Follow all of the links on the Web site. Those links were included because someone in the training program office thought they had information that would be useful to you.

Visit the training programs page for more resources. You will find an “Eligibility Wizard”, information on the different programs and links to videos on applying successfully to the programs.

Discuss procedures clearly and completely with considerable amount of details

• Your solution

• Research challenges

• Impact• Global Problem

Research topic/Title

Consortium Building/International Collaborations

The objective of the proposed study should be stated very clearly, specific, achievable and measurable;

Too many objectives to be avoided; If there is more than one objective the objectives can be presented in the appropriate order of importance

Objectives

Goal setting:S SpecificM MeasurableA AttainableR RealisticT Time-bound

Background/literature review

This section reflects extensive review of literature done by the investigator

Just quoting the literature verbatim will not serve the purpose It is important to make it coherent, relevant and easily readable

knowledge It helps the investigator to gain good knowledge in that field of

inquiryIt also helps the investigator to have insight on different

methodologies that could be applied

Reject

No goal or objective statement at the start of the proposal.Too technical and condensed will make it hard to read and

understand.Too short will not give the reviewer the needed information

to understand the proposal.Too long will make the reviewer skip to the background and

makes the reviewer search for what is important. Do not expand background to unnecessary information that

does not support the hypothesis. Background should not exceed one third to one half of

proposal.No preliminary data generally negatively impacts the

proposal in two ways.No indication that the proposal will feasible.No indication the applicant can do the proposed work.

Study design

The study design should be clearly stated The study design to be used should be appropriate for

achieving the objective of the study

Study population / Sample specifications 

It is important to describe which would be the study population How study subjects would be selected, randomization

process and other details should be given Determination of sample size is a bargain between

precision and the price (Resources & expenses involved)

Description of process  Proposal should include the details of all processto be adopted in the study A brief description of how the data will be processed

and use of statistical package if any should be given The proposal should include the sequence of tasks to

be performed, the anticipated length of time required for its completion and the personnel required

Project Team/Personnel

Proposal should include who are the primary investigators and co- investigators, their qualifications, research experience etc

The proposal may also include the Major roles to be taken up by different investigators

BudgetThe budget translates project activities into

monetary termsIt is a statement of how much money will be

required to accomplish the various tasks

Major itemsSalary for staffTravelPurchase of equipmentPrinting/XeroxingConsultancy chargesInstitutional overheads

Who are evaluators?

Scientist in appropriate field, Specific knowledge

Generalist/businessmanSome technical knowledge

General Thoughts

Reviewers will not be experts in your field of research. Make the proposal accessible to them.

Get your proposal read by a colleague or someone in your area of research. They might find problems that reviewers will find.

Thank you very much for your attention and

good luck for your proposals!