New oncology centre in central Europe

With EU funding, the project 'From basic to translational research in oncology' (BASTION) is supporting experimental oncology development in central Europe. It is helping MUW to become a leading research and clinical oncology centre. Based on internationally recognised research groups and lead scientists, BASTION aims to strengthen MUW's research potential in basic and translational oncology.

The project involves initiating and consolidating cooperation between MUW and 13 EU academic and industrial partner organisations. The exchange of scientific ideas will be ensured through organised workshops and an international conference on molecular oncology. The new bioinformatics group will focus on personalised medicine. Project work includes recruiting research and management personnel as well as acquiring modern research equipment.

During the initial stage, BASTION recruited 11 postdoctoral top-level–qualified researchers. Together, they have high ability to increase research potential in basic and translational oncology at MUW. To facilitate development of the bioinformatics tools, a leader and two information technology specialists have joined MUW.

The acquired equipment filled the gap in the research armamentarium of BASTION teams. The automated nucleic acid extractor and laser microdissection platform provide the means to acquire and analyse DNA/RNA. The Fluidigm platform and the DNA sequencer allow efficient preparation of middle-scale libraries from isolated nucleic acids. The protein purification work station, pipetting biorobot and multispectral plate reader allow for further evaluation of the target gene(s) function in numerous cell-based in vitro assays implementing, for example, absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence and/or singlet oxygen transfer measurements.

New equipment and staff will help raise the level of basic and translational oncology research and form a bridge to clinical applications, benefiting the population in central Europe.