Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB

NATIONAL HELLENIC RESEARCHFOUNDATION

INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICALRESEARCH

AND BIOTECHNOLOGY(IBRB-NHRF)

• Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB) established in 1977

• Aims at establishment:• Advancement of fundamental research in Basic Biological

Sciences, with emphasis on Biomedicine• Strengthening of infrastructure in above fields• Exploitation of results of fundamental research for applied research and biotechnology • Training of under graduates, graduates, post-doctoral

researchers and technical and other personnel.

INSTITUTE PROFILE

National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Biological Research & Biotechnology

Fundamental research is grouped along three main research axes:

• Molecular regulatory pathways of cell function in health, disease and ageing

• Molecular and environmental toxicology and• Enzymes and proteins of biomedical and biotechnological

interest.

RESEARCH AXES


Research Programmes have been developed within Axes - Distinct and specific interests but partially overlapping in aims and methodology:

i. Signal-regulated gene expressionii. Molecular endocrinologyiii. RNA processingiv. Molecular and cellular ageingv. Chemical carcinogenesis and genetic toxicologyvi. Protein structure, function and regulationvii. Biomimeticsviii.Enzymologyix. Biotechnology communication and bioethics

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES


National Hellenic Research Foundation Institute of Biological Research &Biotechnology

Applications Units created during recent years, in order to promote applied projects and provision of R&D services to industry and other users.

Three Units have been established, based on the three Research Axes of the Institute:

Biomedical Applications Unit Environmental Toxicology Unit Industrial Enzymology Unit

APPLICATION UNITS


Unique activity among Greek Research Institutes

• Public perception of biotechnology and associated bioethical problems

• In line with current tendency of research institutes in most European countries and the USA

• Establish a dialogue and awareness with the public, state organizations and other interested parties

• Contribute to the information and the dialogue about biotechnology in Greece.

BIOTECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATION & BIOETHICS


Scientific AdvisoryCommittee

Institute AdvisoryResearch Council

R N A P ro c e s s in g S ig n a l- re g u la te dg e n e e xp re s s io n

M o le c u la re n d o c r in o lo g y

M o le c u la r &c e llu la r a g e in g

M olecu lar R eg u latory p ath w aysof ce ll fu n c tion

in h ealth , d isease an d ag ein g

C h e m ic a l c a rc in o g e n e s isa n d g e n e tic to xic o lo g y

M olecu lar & E n v iron m en ta ltoxico log y

E n z ym o lo g y P ro te in s s tru c tu re ,fu n c tio n a n d re g u la tio n

B io m im e tic s

E n zym es an d p rote in sof b iom ed ica l an d

b iotech n olog ica l in teres t

D irec tor

Biomedical ApplicationUnit

Environmental ToxicologyUnit

Industrial EnzymologyUnit

Biotechnology communication

And bioethics


PERSONNEL

44Researchers B112Researchers C

11Researchers D

246Researchers A

415Technical personnel

33Functional Scientific Personnel

6915Post-doc researchers

212115Administrative & auxiliary personnel

5353979Total

1010Other

2018Scientists & engineers under research training

> 50 years30-50 years< 30 yearsAgeTotalType of personnel


FINANCIAL STATEMENT (million GRD)*

?336.6335.8301.8271.2Salaries of regular personel PLUS telephones

?590.2513.4451.1438.2EXPENDITURE Total

8.05.34.35.17.7Product & services sales

17.59.612.36.07.6Contracts by firms

18967.857.592.2107.8EU Framework Programme

233189.189.995.3106.5Structural funds

56.313.3---National projects & studies

?336.6338.4302.6285.4Regular public budget

?621.7502.4501.2515.0INCOME Total

20001999199819971996

FUNDING OF PERSONNEL


1990 1995 1999

regular budget

external funding

regular budget

external funding

regular budget

external funding

staff with Ph.D.

17 1 16 3 16 15

post-graduate students/ trainee scientists

20 - 18 8 - 16

other staff 22 - 24 - 20 -


Year

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

mill

ion

GR

D

0

100

200

300

400

500

Europ. Union FPStructural fundsContract researchR&D services

NHRF external funding

• In collaboration with many Departments of Greek (and foreign) Universities, supervision of 37 PhD theses of science students (biologists, chemists, pharmacists) and medical doctors leading to Dr.med.

• Training of TMR post-Doc fellows• Active involvement in organization of the Spetsai Summer

Schools, many EMBO-FEBS Workshops, scientific meetings and round-table discussions.

• Regular special seminars for the Ph.D. candidates and for medical personnel

•Constant flow of scientific personnel to learn specific techniques and methodologies.

TRAINING


Fundamental research in targeted areas:

Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Environmental Health• Areas in which IBRB possesses expertise• Adaptation to specific targets• Projects exploited by the Application Units• Connected with the Greek Health and Industrial Sector

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY


Structural and functional analysis of proteins involved in specific biochemical regulatory pathways in 4 important areas of cell biology.

• Signal transduction• Post-transcriptional modification of hnRNA• Steroid receptors• Enzymes of glycogen metabolism

Temporal and spatial expression• Interaction with other biomolecules to form larger

functional complexes in specific cells and tissuesDesign effector molecules to modulate their activity

DIRECTIONS (AREAS OF PRIORITY) (1)




Structural and functional analysis of enzymes in:

Protein phosphorylation

Oxidation processes, antioxidants, free radicals

Low water content restricted media - biomimetics



The role of genes in the ageing process

Effects of external and internal agents causing genetic instability

connected to carcinogenesis

Genes associated to longevity

DNA repair mechanisms

Factors affecting individual susceptibility

Assessment of carcinogenic risks

Pharmaceutical Industry

Medical Diagnostics

Food and Seed Industry

Environment - public health - connected public agencies

RESULT EXPLOITATION - R+D SERVICES (1)


Biomedical Application UnitBiomedical Application Unit

Novel diagnostics, predictive-prognostic services

Industrial Enzymology UnitIndustrial Enzymology Unit• Enzyme applications in biotechnological application

processes, analytical techniques, quality control

Unit of Environmental ToxicologyUnit of Environmental Toxicology• Focal center for systematic assessment of environmental

toxicants • Scientific support for policy formulation in area of public

health protection

R+D SERVICES (2) - APPLICATION UNITS


Research personnelResearch personnel Increased staff due to extramural funding

Funds for R+DFunds for R+D• All research conducted with competitive funding (175 MGRD/year

= 520 KEuro/year).• Aver. income 1996-99 up by 65% compared to 1990-95• During year 2000, expected income: 496 MGRD, up 100%

compared to 1999Funds for provision of servicesFunds for provision of services• Health Sector - Breast cancer receptor assays since 1981• Industrial Enzymology Unit - Services to Industry• GMO Detection Lab

ASSESSMENT OF THE INSTITUTE’S POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT


Advancement of biomedical research, applied research,

education and training

Distinguished characteristics• Combination of basic research with the provision of

innovation- based services• Critical mass of researchers in molecular regulatory pathways

in cancer, autoimmune diseases and aging - collaboration with

the Medical Community - Biomed Application Unit.

PLACE OF INSTITUTE ON THE MAP OF R/T DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (1)


PLACE OF INSTITUTE ON THE MAP OF R/T DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (2)


a) Critical mass of researchers on protein/enzyme – structure function

b) Relevance to industrial applications (catalysis, enzyme inhibitors, etc)

c) Unique in systematic activity in Molecular Toxicology – Environmental Toxicology Unit – Risk assessment - Support of regulatory agencies

Documents

Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB