This partner has a long-term interest in sponge molecular biology as well as in molecular evolution. Its studies on this topic have been published in numerous scientific journals focusing on molecular biology. This partner has contributed much to the analysis of (marine) invertebrate genomes. In addition, this partner has experience in cell biology (apoptosis, signal transduction, cell-cell-interaction) and natural products. Its broad background and knowledge in invertebrate molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology are of great benefit for the network. W.E.G. Müller is coordinator of the German Center of Excellence on Marine Molecular Biotechnology (BIOTECmarin) and head of a sponge genome (EST) project. He is also a leading member of the Marine Station of the Ruder Boskovic Institute in Rovinj, Adriatic Coast, Croatia.
This partner has extensive experience in taxonomy of different groups of invertebrates and algae and benthic ecology including larval behaviour, symbiotic and mutualistic relationships, communities description, chemically mediated bioactivities. The group is familiar with SCUBA diving, manipulative experimentation, electron microscope techniques (SEM & TEM), thin layer chromatography and cellular separation by density gradients and flow cytometry, and spectrophotometry. This group has leaded national inter-Institutes research projects and participated in European (Mast-2, Life) and numerous bilateral (with France and Italy) projects. The main aim is to elucidate the biological and ecological roles of secondary metabolites in sponges. M.J. Uriz is particularly concerned with the parameters (external and internal) controlling the production of bioactive substances along the whole sponge life cycle.
For almost twenty years, the ICB researchers involved in this Marie Curie RTN have been working on chemo-ecological relationships in benthic organisms, mainly opisthobranchs and sponges. The efforts of this partner have led to the isolation of a large number of compounds, most of which show promising biological properties. The studies of this group also contributed to the elucidation of the chemical communication in benthic and pelagic communities at the molecular level. Recently, this group has begun to investigate biochemical factors related to ecological interactions in marine habitats, focussing its attention to the biogenesis of biologically active metabolites and the control of the metabolic pathways leading to the ecological mediators.
The National Center for High Throughput Screening (HTS) of Novel Bioactive Compounds headed by Y. Loya, M. Ilan and Y. Kashman at Tel Aviv University is an infrastructure-Strategic Research Center facility established by the Ministry of Science’s National Committee of Biotechnology. Its core unit focusses on coordinating the multidisciplinary search for compounds with potential pharmaceutical properties. The HTS Center is currently coordinating a large number of academic research groups involved in collection of biological material from diverse and unique sources, including anthozoans, screening the materials for biological-pharmacological activity, as well as the isolation and structure elucidation of these natural products. The primary objective of the Center is to act as a core unit coordinating a multidisciplinary search for natural compounds with potential pharmaceutical properties. These include collection of biological material from diverse and unique sources, screening of materials for biological-pharmacological potential and the isolation and structure elucidation of these natural products.
The Molecular Genetics Laboratory at NICPB carries out a multidisciplinary combination of theoretical and applied research in the fields of molecular genetics and proteomics. These research activities are combined with active graduate education and technology transfer programmes that are organized in close coordination with Tallinn Technical University. M. Kelve has experience in (1) chemistry and structure of nucleic acids, (2) components of immune system: interferon-induced (2’-5’)oligoadenylate system, and (3) methodology of molecular diagnostics. The research strategy of the Institute has been acknowledged by the nomination of the Analytical Spectrometry within the NICPB for the Estonian Centre of Excellence. The sponge metabolism research has been qualified for the financing from state budget, including ESF granting. It is a kind of an evaluation criterion as the competition in the field of molecular biology is extremely high within Estonia.
The commercial aim of the INTEGRIN Advanced Biosystems Ltd is the discovery and commercial development of novel bioactive compounds from marine organisms. INTEGRIN is particularly interested in compounds which affect cellular adhesion and signaling as these molecules can be used in a variety of therapeutic areas. An important part of this activity is to develop effective commercialization strategies based on a firm understanding of market demands. Because of the high cost of drug development, Integrin does not intend to completely develop new drugs. Rather it will partner their development with established pharmaceutical companies. This necessitates knowing where the greatest demands for new drugs will be then tailoring the drug discovery activity to produce a pipeline of drug leads optimized for this market demand.
The Summer school of the BIOCAPITAL Marie Curie RTN is held at regular intervals at the Center for Marine Research, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Rovinj, Istria, Northern Adriatic. This marine station has excellent training facilities. The staff from the institute (Center for Marine Research) is involved in the teaching activities and organisation of the Summer school. The duration is usually one to two weeks for the scientific course and one week or the diving training. PhD students, postdocs and diploma students working in the Marie Curie network but also external students interested in marine bioprospecting learn - in an informal atmosphere - new techniques under the supervision of experienced researchers. The Northern Adriatic around Rovinj is an excellent biotop for collecting marine organisms required for the performance of this project. The coordinator of BIOCAPITAL has a long term bilateral cooperation with this institute.