1. Presentation

Technological Institute of Central CEITEC [1] should formally come into being in 2015 in Brno, Czech Republic. However, scientists are already working on many projects, including the development of biosensors and development of physiotherapy devices remotely. Cooperative arrangements are also being prepared with nearly 200 partners, mainly from the private sector.

The project is ambitious. The main objectives of the Institute is to synergize the many research laboratories in the region and allow a close public-private collaboration in the area of innovative technologies.

The premises are located CEITEC on the new campus at Bohunice and extend over 31,000 m2. The four universities of Brno in the original project (Masaryk, Mendel, and Veterinary-Pharmaceutical Technology) [2] were associated with the Veterinary Research Institute [3] and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. [4] They are strongly supported by the South Moravian Region and the city of Brno. The 58 teams will gather CEITEC research, in which will be welcomed more than 800 researchers. Each year, 1,600 students will have the opportunity to train in the various laboratories of the Institute and to receive scientific equipment among the best performers.

2. Research organization

The research will be conducted within the framework CEITEC 9 programs, which reflect the main areas of expertise of scientists from the region of Brno.

=> Nano-and microtechnology advances: the development of new methods for the synthesis of nanostructures, determination of their properties and use in electronics, optoelectronics and photonics. An important part of activities will be dedicated to semiconductor nanostructures, magnetic and metal, as well as nanotubes and nanofibers

=> Advanced Materials: an analysis of properties of ceramic materials, polymers, metals and composites to provide applications in medicine, chemistry, energy and industry.

=> Advanced Communications and control: new technologies of communication and control for applications in life sciences (eg capture and transmission of patient data, medical machines …) and material sciences (eg microwave defectoscopy wave).

=> Structural biology: studies of structures and properties of biologically active macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids) and their complexes, inorder to identify their core functions and their implications in the life processes, as well as cellular and molecular level. Analytical techniques with high resolution (RX, NMR, cryo-electron, positron …) will be associated with recent advances in modeling, computational chemistry, and Bioinformatics.

=> Genomics and Proteomics of plants: understanding the evolution of plant strategies for biotechnological and medical applications. Three main themes will be developed: 1) structure, stability, genome evolution, karyotypes and chromosomes, and epigenetic processes regulating desl’expression genetics and cellular differentiation, 2) hormonal regulation, control of plant growth strategies of phytoremediation, 3 ) search for new bioactive compounds, plants for the production of biopharmaceuticals, such as renewable energy source or precursor materials.

=> Molecular medicine: development of new methods for analyzing human and microbial genomes, study of cell behavior at the molecular level, particularly in malignant transformation and resistance to cancer treatment, analysis of mechanisms disrupting immune response.

=> Neuroscience: Research at the theoretical, experimental and clinical relationship between the molecular mechanisms in the brain and cognitive responses and behavioral studies and applications in patients with neurological disorders.

=> Veterinary Molecular study of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in relationships hosts / pathogens, in particular nutritional or those that are “emerging”, and in mammalian reproduction.

=> Biomedical Technologies: New technologies that can be used in biological sciences for dexcription of electrical and mechanical systems in living organisms, the levels of cells, tissues and organs.

Each program will include the participation of several specialized research groups and will use a multidisciplinary cooperation.

3. Status of Project

The project is still in CEITEC evaluation phase. On November 13, 2009, a record “3,000″ pages has been submitted to the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, for evaluation and selection as a major strategic project to be supported and submitted for funding on fund Structural, the European Commission. The ministry’s decision is expected by end April 2010. Tomas Hruda, director of CEITEC, [5] is confident and said that “the project was very well fitted and that is why we believe it will be evaluated positively. We are preparing intensively negotiating with the Commission European. (…) We can not imagine that the project does not pass “.

Currently, his team is close and regular liaison with consultants and experts from JASPERS project implemented by the EC and the BRED, [6] in order to finalize the project before summer.

Meanwhile, the search for partners has already begun. Representatives of the Institute are working on this with CzechInvest, the agency for economic development and investment department of trade and industry Czech. [7] Stanislav Martinek, director of the division of investments [8], states: “We had the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the whole project CEITEC and we are aware of the benefits that the Institute will provide the Czech Republic. The potential access to advanced technology and experienced staff attracts many businesses and ensures Tomas Hruda be in contact with over 200 partners involved.