Project title: Development of Latvia’s research potential by strengthening the integration of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre into European infrastructures and scientific networks

Project No.: 1.1.1.5/3/24/I/006

Period: 1 June 2025 – 30 November 2029

Project costs: 930 000,00 EUR

Project summary:

The implementation of the project “Development of Latvia’s Research Potential by Strengthening the Integration of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre into European Infrastructures and Scientific Networks” by the State Agency “Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre” (BMC) is aimed at increasing BMC participation in the preparation of international project proposals and at fostering the development of Latvia’s scientific excellence and international competitiveness. This will be achieved by making use of the opportunities provided by European Research Infrastructure Consortia and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI).

The project includes the following activities:

1. Integration of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) into the European Research Area, by increasing BMC’s participation as a scientific institution in international project applications and strengthening BMC’s overall international competitiveness. This will be achieved by preparing at least 30 project proposals evaluated above the quality threshold under “Horizon Europe”, the 10th Framework Programme and its sub-programmes;
2. Promotion of international cooperation between BMC and other Latvian scientific institutions, through the implementation of the Latvian National Contact Point action plan for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the Latvian National Partnership Plan for the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC), and the Latvian National Partnership Plan for the Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure (Instruct-ERIC), aiming to achieve the respective performance indicators set out in these plans.

The total cost of the project amounts to EUR 930,000.00, of which 85%, or EUR 790,500.00, is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, and 15%, or EUR 139,500.00, is covered by the state budget.

The project will be implemented over the period from June 1, 2025, to November 30, 2029.

The project will be carried out as an individual initiative not related to economic activity, and its implementer, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC), is a scientific institution registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions of the Republic of Latvia (registration No. 181002). BMC also qualifies as a research organization according to the definition provided in Article 2(83) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014.

The BMC premises are accessible for persons with functional impairments:

• Access to the elevator is available by vehicle.
• A lift is available for movement between floors.
• Access to laboratories and other facilities within the BMC is ensured.

Information published 02.06.2025.

Progress of the project:

1 June 2025 – 31 August 2025

The implementation of project activities was initiated. Information was compiled on 9 projects evaluated above the threshold, which will be included in the first payment request to the CFLA.

Within the framework of the Action Plan of the Latvian National Contact Point for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL):

Following the launch of the EMBL National Contact Point in June 2025, the first activities have been implemented in line with the action plan:

1. Development of mechanisms for short-term visits and course participation. Communication has been initiated with the EMBL External Relations Department, particularly regarding the organization of training courses and short-term exchange visits.
2. Identification of fellowships and application deadlines. Work is underway to compile information on upcoming EMBO and EMBL fellowship calls to ensure that Latvian researchers receive timely and accurate updates on available opportunities.
3. Planning of communication activities. Preparation of a communication and information plan for 2025/2026 has started, including the organization of thematic seminars, the continuation of the Bioinformatics Forum, and regular updates on EMBL programs and outcomes.

Within the framework of the Latvian National Partnership Plan of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC):

1. During this reporting period, within the framework of the BBMRI-Latvia National Node, discussions were held with experts from the BBMRI-ERIC Latvian working group, and a further action plan was developed for the continued operation of the Latvian National Biobank Network.
2. Two experience exchange visits in the field of biobanking also took place, involving representatives from the Children’s Clinical University Hospital and the Riga East Clinical University Hospital. During these visits, the future development of biobanks within these institutions and their potential participation in the Latvian Biobank Network were discussed. Updates and developments in the field of biobanking were further shared on social media to inform the broader public about these activities.

Within the framework of the Latvian National Partnership Plan for the Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure (Instruct-ERIC):

1. On 27 May, the INSTRUCT-ERIC Executive Committee officially approved the INSTRUCT-LV research site.
2. On 11 June, INSTRUCT-LV received an invitation to participate in the preparation of a project proposal under the HORIZON-SERV-04 (curiosity-driven access) call. The project is currently being developed jointly with other partners; from Latvia, the participating institutions are BMC and OSI.
3. On 22 July, participation was ensured in the extraordinary meeting of INSTRUCT-ERIC, where the establishment of the INSTRUCT-DE (Germany) Centre and the expansion of the INSTRUCT-ES (Spain) Centre were approved.

 Information published 01.09.2025.

Progress of the project:

1 September 2025 – 30 November 2025

Within the framework of the Action Plan of the Latvian National Contact Point for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL):

1. The first researcher visit to the EMBL laboratory in Germany has taken place.

Within the framework of the Latvian National Partnership Plan of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI-ERIC):

1. During this reporting period, a number of information events were held for both the public and biobank specialists, as well as researchers, such as participation in Scientists’ Night activities, guided tours, and educational lectures for students.
2. As part of the Personalized Medicine Forum 2025, which took place on 9-10.10.2025, BBMRI-ERIC Director General Jens Habermann and Public Affairs Specialist Jana Pavlic-Zupanc visited Latvia. During the focus, a separate plenary session on biobanks was held, educating experts in the field, and a specific internal session for representatives of the BBMRI.Latvia national biobank network.
3. During the Personalized Medicine Forum 2025, a National Biobank Network Partnership Charter was also signed between the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center and the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, thus including a new member organization in the National Biobank Network.
4. News in the field of biobanks is further disseminated on social networks to inform the wider public about these activities

Within the framework of the Latvian National Partnership Plan for the Integrated Structural Biology Infrastructure (Instruct-ERIC):

1. On 24 September 2025, BMC was visited by University of Tartu researcher Kristiina Vind together with her Latvian-origin PhD student, Normunds Bērziņš. During a joint seminar with the BMC structural biology group, various studies related to bacteriophages and their virus-like particles were discussed. The Estonian colleagues were also informed about the opportunities provided by INSTRUCT-ERIC in the field of cryo-electron microscopy, in which both researchers expressed great interest. Future collaboration opportunities in the field of structural biology were also discussed.
2. On 26 September 2025, the European Researchers’ Night took place at LBMC. As part of the event, structural biology group PhD student Mihails Šišovs demonstrated protein crystallography technologies to visitors and provided information about Instruct-LV activities within the European Research Area.
3. On 15 October 2025, Instruct-LV coordinator Kaspars Tārs participated in the Instruct-ERIC Council meeting, where various documents were reviewed, including the report by the Instruct-ERIC Director and the Executive Committee, the 2025 budget overview, the approval of the 2026 budget, as well as reports from the BE, CZ, and FR Instruct-ERIC Centres.
4. In October 2025, as part of a collaborative bacteriophage research project, BMC hosted Ukrainian researcher Oleksandra Mormil from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Polish researcher Monoka Debonska from the University of Gdańsk. On 16 October, a joint seminar was held during which BMC researcher Jānis Rūmnieks presented bacteriophage Nocturne 116 studies conducted using cryo-EM.
5. In October 2025, Dr. Marta-Lisete Vares from Chemestmed, an innovative biotechnology company based in Tartu, Estonia, visited the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (OSI) to acquire practical experience in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. During her visit, she was trained in the use of high-field NMR instruments to study protein–ligand interactions, one of the key methods for understanding molecular mechanisms in drug discovery. Dr. Vares’ visit marked the beginning of a new collaboration between Chemestmed and the HORIZON-WIDERA-2023 Twinning project MR LATVIA at OSI. This collaboration represents another important step towards strengthening industry–research partnerships in the Baltic region, fostering knowledge exchange and the use of advanced NMR technologies in biomedical research. OSI’s NMR instruments are part of the Instruct-LV Research Site infrastructure.

Information published 30.11.2025.