MOLIPEC · Molecular Life of Plants ERA Chair

Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BC) together with Prof. Jiří Friml (Institute of Science and Technology Austria, ISTA) are proposing the project “MOLIPEC: Molecular Life of Plants ERA Chair” to create a research centre of excellence in plant molecular biology to increase research quality and capacity at BC, in the Czech Republic and within ERA. Plant research has repeatedly provided key breakthroughs such as discovery of cells, genes or transposons. Modern plant biology has pioneered many major discoveries in all areas of biology. Further molecular insights are essential for developing sustainable agriculture and plant-based industry, all critical to human survival. Plant research has a long-standing tradition in Czechia, however, modern molecular biology remains underdeveloped because of an anti-genetics past legacy in Eastern Europe. Plant research at BC currently undergoes major structural changes providing an excellent and timely opportunity to restructure BC to achieve efficiency and excellence. The ERA Chair will be instrumental in this endeavour. The project comprehensively addresses five most important areas for improvement: (1) The International Advisory Board under ERA Chair direction will strengthen research and leadership at BC from an international perspective. (2) Centralised facilities will provide professional research and administrative support, improving efficiency and economical savings. (3) Outstanding talents will be recruited to establish two new independent research groups complementing current plant research topics. (4) Mentorship program and career development plan will improve R&I knowledge and skills, free circulation of knowledge, and cooperation with business. (5) Targeted communication and dissemination of research results with societal relevance will ensure international attractiveness and visibility of BC. Thus, the MOLIPEC project will establish BC as a leading centre for excellent plant research in Central Europe.