The Jagiellonian University Medical College has received funding to equip the Centre for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases (CTD-CARD). The funds, amounting to nearly PLN 24 million, were granted from the European Funds for Modern Economy 2021-2027, measure 2.4 – call no. FENG.02.04-IP.04-001/24, Path for projects from the Polish Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. They will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for molecular imaging and advanced techniques for assessing the safety of drugs and drug candidates. New research modules will be created, expanding the existing capabilities of CDT-CARD, including: a laser microdissection laboratory (enabling the implementation of spatial omics techniques); a single-cell proteomics module (SCP, based on a new ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer); a dynamic high-resolution imaging module with validation of molecular targets at the RNA, DNA and protein level with analysis of cell movements in microfluidic systems; and a module for comprehensive study of drug interactions with key ion channels (QPatch Compact system). The purchase of a set of thermal analysis apparatus will enable in-depth analysis of the stability of active substances, both pure and in drug form, as well as the determination of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the processes taking place. The expansion of the apparatus with a dedicated FT-IR spectroscope will allow real-time analysis of volatile degradation products. In addition, the expansion of the MRI/PET scanner with a cryocoil will significantly increase resolution and shorten imaging time, which in turn will enable the introduction of innovative functional imaging methods (fMRI) coupled with optogenetic modulation. The purchase of a multiphoton microscope will expand the spectrum of optical imaging and modulation to the level of single cell populations and subcellular structures, while the expansion of the behavioral research platform will provide researchers with advanced tools to study the safety of new drugs and drug candidates.

It is worth noting that the equipment proposed for purchase will create the first platforms in Poland dedicated to such advanced imaging analysis, SCP analysis and electrophysiological studies.

As a reminder, the Centre, established by Order No. 134 of the Rector of the Jagiellonian University of 28 December 2023, operates in an open core facility formula based on broad cooperation and sharing of unique equipment and know-how with scientists from domestic and foreign research units. The mission of CDT-CARD is to combine preclinical research, leading to the development of new drugs and therapeutic strategies, among others, with clinical research, mainly of a non-commercial profile. The target location of CDT-CARD will be the new “A” teaching and laboratory building, currently in the final stages of construction, which is part of the developing UJCM Kraków – Prokocim Medical Campus.

The team preparing the application for the FENG.02.04-IP.04-001/24 competition (the application with annexes is over 500 pages of documentation), in cooperation with the Dean’s Authorities, consisted of researchers from all faculties of the Jagiellonian University Medical College: Faculty of Medicine (Rafał Olszanecki, Marcin Surmiak, Maciej Suski, Mateusz Siedliński), Faculty of Pharmacy (Monika Marcinkowska, Bartosz Pomierny, Lucyna Pomierny-Chamioło, Agata Siwek, Paweł Żmudzki, Gniewomir Latacz), Faculty of Health Sciences (Paweł Link-Lenczowski), and the team’s work was coordinated by: Ewa Klepacz-Zielińska, Magdalena Łopuszańska-Rusek, Joanna Pierewicz and Dominika Chmiest.

The operator of FENG funds is the Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute. In the call FENG.02.04-IP.04-001/24 Path for projects from the Polish Roadmap for Research Infrastructures, 14 applications for funding were received, of which 8 were selected for funding. The total amount allocated to funding the projects is over PLN 348 million.

A full list of projects selected for funding is available on the website of the Information Processing Centre of the National Research Institute.