The project will be implemented by the Ruđer Bošković Institute.
At the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) in Zagreb, the leading Croatian scientific research institute, the project “BioProspecting of the Adriatic Sea” was presented on Friday. The project has received grants totalling 36,941,965 kuna from the European Regional Development Fund, reports Poslovni.hr on January 12, 2018.
The “BioProspecting of the Adriatic Sea” project includes the strengthening of the capacities of the Center of Excellence for Bioprospecting of the Sea (BioProCro), led by Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac, through the implementation of top-level interdisciplinary research in the field of biotechnology of the sea, in order to obtain biologically active molecules of desirable properties for use in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. It will also enable cooperation with international institutions and the transfer of technology since the biotechnology industry of natural compounds is a fast-growing market that will significantly improve the growth of the entire Croatian economy.
During the five-year timeframe, the project will directly involve 65 scientists, including ten new PhDs and ten new postdoctoral researchers. The BioProCro Centre brings together internationally recognised research groups in the fields of biotechnology, chemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, process engineering and ecology. This integration of research teams into a unique, modern centre contributes to innovative research of bioactive compounds and materials from the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.
The implementation of the project activities will bring together all Croatian research groups investigating bioactive compounds isolated from marine organisms in the Croatian part of the Adriatic. In addition to the Ruđer Boskovic Institute, the project partners include the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb, the University of Rijeka, the Faculty of Chemistry and Technology in Split, and the Faculty of Food Technology in Osijek.
“The aim of our research is the creation of a strong scientific basis for research and sustainable exploitation of the biological and chemical potential of the sea, while preserving the biological diversity, needed to develop new products in a range of industries, such as pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, which have significant economic potential, both for local and international businesses. All this will result in cross-linking of Croatian scientists with the European research area, which is an important part of the Europe 2020 strategy. The project will also enable the employment of 20 young scientists who will develop knowledge about biological and chemical diversity, biological potential and bioprocessing engineering, and as such will contribute to linking the science and the economy,” said the project leader Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac from the Ruđer Bošković Institute.
The funds have been awarded as part of the “Top Research of Centres of Excellence” call, issued by the European Structural and Investment Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020.
Translated from Poslovni.hr.
