ABOUT

The main objective of VISION – the H2020 Twinning project - is to strengthen excellence and innovation capacity of Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (BMC SAV). Close cooperation with four European leading research institutions will enhance the credibility, competitiveness and recognition of BMC SAV, contribute to overcome existing gaps in oncology research and reinforce the capacity for early diagnostics and innovative treatment approaches. Beyond increased scientific performance, collaborative approach may help to identify factors contributing to an extremely high incidence of colon and pancreatic cancer in Slovakia.

The specific aims of the VISION project are:

• to raise the scientific excellence of BMC SAV in the gastrointestinal cancer research, in terms of its increased competence to perform an innovative and high-quality translational biomedical research;
• to improve the capability of BMC SAV to successfully compete for national, EU and internationally competitive research funding;
• to promote the involvement of early-stage researchers by enhancing the reputation, credibility, attractiveness and networking activities of BMC SAV at both international and national levels;
• to initiate new avenues of cancer research, creativity and the development of new approaches in early diagnosis and treatment of cancer;
• to translate the scientific state-of-the-art knowledge beyond the professional community at the national level, unifying scientist and medical doctors.
• to translate the scientific state-of-the-art knowledge beyond the professional community at the national level, unifying scientist and medical doctors.

More information on the VISION project can be found in the video

Project structure

The VISION proposal consists of five inter-related work packages with particular tasks.

WP1 Management

This WP is dedicated to ensuring efficient and transparent coordination and management of the VISION project to successfully achieve its main objective and all specific aims and to administratively fulfil the contractual obligations towards the EC.

WP2 Strengthening excellence in gastrointestinal cancer research

The main objective of this WP is to enhance the credibility, competitiveness and recognition of BMC SAV at international and national levels. Performance of high-quality state-of-the-art research will be mediated by exchange and transfer of knowledge, collaboration, and networking with leading research institutions in Europe. International collaboration will help to identify factors that can lead to the high pancreas and colon cancer incidence in Slovakia.

WP3 Increasing the innovation capacity and skills of early early-stage researchers

The aim of this WP is the development of early-stage researches, the exchange and translation of knowledge between VISION partners, acquisition of practical skills in cutting-edge technologies and innovations in the field of GI cancers and nanobiotechnology with a potential of clinical applications. Short-term staff exchanges, expert visits and training/courses will contribute to development and acquisition of scientific and technical skills of early-stage researchers, strengthening their personal and professional development.

WP4 Mining and bridging the gaps between research and clinics

The WP4 aims at establishing an active network between relevant research and clinical institutions at an international and national level. Involvement of medical faculties, non- governmental organizations (NGO) and patient organizations will help to enhance translation of research achievements and foster cancer prevention, with support from VISION partners as advisors.

WP5 Ethics requirements

The aim of WP5 is to ensure compliance with the 'ethics requirements' set out in this work package.