Projects / Programmes
Functional genomics and biotechnology for health
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.05.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|
| 4.06.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Biotechnology |
|
| 3.04.00 |
Medical sciences |
Oncology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B000 |
Biomedical sciences |
|
| P320 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Nucleic acids, protein synthesis |
| B220 |
Biomedical sciences |
Genetics, cytogenetics |
| B200 |
Biomedical sciences |
Cytology, oncology, cancerology |
| T490 |
Technological sciences |
Biotechnology |
Researchers (53)
Organisations (3)
Significance for science
The genetic backround of disease has been an established fact for years. In the previous research we have identified, by searching the genome, mutations and polymorphisms in candidate genes, which were subsequently associated to a disease phenotype. In simpler, monogenic diseases, we discerned mechanisms of their initiation and development and thus provided a basis for molecular genetic diagnostics. With approfounded knowledge, we have come to understand that there is no such thing as a »one-gene« disease. Even diseases caused by a mutation in a single gene are influenced by numerous other factors, triggered by the difference in expression of other genes. More complex still is the research of multi-genic and multi-factorial diseases – which often represent major challenges for modern medicine and society. These diseases include cancer, heart and coronary diseases, diabetes, degenerative diseases of the central nervous system and mental illnesses. Functional genomics is a new, post-genomic science, which perceives the cell and its biochemical and pathophysiological phenomena not singularly, but as an integrated system. As such it strives to study simultanously interconnected events and thus discover molecular switches and understand complex biochemical mechanisms of cellular pathology. Based on these findings, it aims to create innovative diagnostic tools, develop discreetly targeted drugs with minimized side-effects, and enable systemic drug trials at the cellular level and the level of the organism. This approach is of course applicable in other fields, such as agronomy, forestry, environmental protection etc. Our research program was comprised of two sections: (a) basic research (at the molecular level) of cell biology phenomena, involved in some of the most medically and socially challenging pathological processes, and (b) aplicative research for the design and develompent of novel drugs for combating modern diseases. Both sections are interconnected, since new findings from the first section, paramount to understanding the mechanisms of disease at the molecular level and introducing novel diagnostic tools, form a basis for a rational approach in the second section. Research was conducted through 12 working packages/sections reflecting by titles methodological and ideological association or "philosophy" of the programme: Genomics and genetic / molecular-biology basis of diseases; Genomics of complex diseases – psychiatric disorders and their genetic background; Functional genomics and cholesterol homeostasis; Study of gene and protein interactions during cell division; Functional genomics of tissue regeneration; Study of mechanisms in cell signaling; Study of cytoskeleton and its role in cell signaling and development of disease phenotype; Functional genomics and molecular biology of oncogenesis; Systems effects of the supportive erythropoetin therapy in cancer patients; Development of expression systems for biotechnological production of recombinant proteins; Molecular biology of fungal cytochromes P450 for the development of antifungal drugs; Design, modeling and biosynthesis of recombinant pharmaceuticals. In the period 2004-08 the programme group published 85 peer-reviewed papers (cumulative IF = 263, average IF = 3.09), comprising 13 papers with IF)5. We also published 10 international patents and 5 patent applications.
Significance for the country
This program group arose by uniting two previous programs which have in the past significantly contributed to the socio-economic development in Slovenia. Research group at the Medical Faculty (MCMB) was among the first to initiate gene technology, and introduced molecular biology/genetic approaches into Slovenian medical research and practice. Together with its clinical partners it introduced gene diagnostic techniques and forensic DNA testing, and also educated/trained leading reaserchers of Slovenian diagnostic laboratories. Research group at the National Institute of Chemistry (L11), as a mixed group of researchers from the Institute and the pharmaceutical company Lek d.d., contributed to important (even world-wide) biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals (e.g. ergot-alkaloids, clavulanic acid). Together with researchers from Lek, the group has introduced technology of rational design and production of biopharmaceuticals, which lead to the first »Slovenian« recombinant drugs. The integration of both groups can be considered as an added value, manifesting in building links between experimental and bioinformatic part of functional genomics with biomedicine and biotechnology. This association will lead to valuable and internationally sound scientific achievements, as well as to improved molecular diagnostic approaches (also in the sense of »personal medicine«) and more effective biological therapeuticals. This ultimately means preservation and growth of jobs/positions for highly educated personel, being actively present in the modern post-genomic scientific trends, as well as partnership with international institutions, equal participation in Europen projects and beyond, creation of environment for staying competitive in the international pharmaceutical market, and finally important contribution to human health. In 2004, we have united scientific expertise from the fields of gene technology, protein and structural biochemistry, cell & molecular biology, medicinal molecular genetics and process biotechnology. Our openness and connectedness has also been demonstrated in founding the Slovenian consortium for functional genomics which has established a joint national infrastructural Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips. Additionally, we also coordinate the ESRR Centre of Excellence (CoE) Biotechnology with Pharmacy which unites 20 partner laboratories and institutions from the University, research institutes, clinics, S&M entreprises and the Slovenian pharmaceutical industry in a joint effort to raise inovation abilities and build the post-genomic research infrastructure. As mentioned, our field is functional genomics which provides a systematic overview of disease, diagnostics and therapy. Experimnetal approaches are now being upgraded by uniting previous research with bioinformatics and mathematical modelling, which means a leap to systems biology and exploring new possibilities of integrating data at various biological levels. Our scientific goals and the results achieved widely open the door to new possibilities of aplicative research goals – new, modern diagnostic approaches and novel biological drugs. With our scienftific competence we are part of numerous study courses at the University of Ljubljana at the undergraduate level as well as the University post-graduate program Biomedicine. There is wide and growing intrest in courses in molecular biology/genetics and functional genomics, and is reflected in student competitveness for limited young researcher positions. By appearing in the media, we regularly inform the public of our work and participate in public debates on the role of modern science in society. Scince we feel that raising the general level of knowledge in the fileds of biomedicine and biotechnology is especially important in the community, we dedicate special attention to the education of students and their teachers.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
