INNOVCRETE · Unlocking the innovative capacity of multidisciplinary structural biology-driven research in Crete

The strategic interest of structural biology-driven research has been recognized as a thematic priority for development in Crete. For this reason, the scientists of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) in Heraklion (Crete) have merged in the InnovCrete project their experience, knowledge, energy and enthusiasm, not only to strengthen their competence and innovative capacities, but also to sustain and enhance their perspectives in the European Research Area (ERA) and to actively contribute to the strengthening of innovative structural biology-based initiatives in Europe. The aim of the InnovCrete project is to create an environment for high-profile structural biology research, to sustain scientific and technological excellence in Biomedical and Life Sciences and to significantly enhance the innovative capacity of biomedicine/biology, biotechnology and biomaterials research in Crete, focusing on areas that fall within major priorities of the Innovation Union. Managed by IMBB and including world-class partnering organizations, InnovCrete seeks to create a multi-disciplinary, multiscale research platform for established and emerging techniques in structural biology. InnovCrete comprises all IMBB Departments, and supports 6 key areas: (1) macromolecular X-ray crystallography, (2) biological SAXS, (3) advanced biological /biomolecular imaging, (4) Electron Microscopy as well as (5) protein production/high-throughput crystallisation and (6) molecular modelling. The IMBB scientists will also introduce emerging structural biology techniques (Free Electron Lasers) to their research in the near future. The ultimate long-term vision is to turn IMBB into a leading European Centre of Excellence in Structural biology, firmly integrated within the ERA, with a pool of competent and highly competitive researchers who are responsive to socio-economic regional and European development needs and capable of catalyzing innovation in Crete and in Europe.