InGA LF Accelerate/SPARK
Find more information about the Internal Grant Agency (InGA) on the website of the MED MUNI Grant Office.
Get up to CZK 1,000,000 to develop your research!
To evaluate the potential of applying MED MUNI’s research and development results and effect a significant shift in the process of applying them in practice, the LF Accelerate project scheme was created at MED MUNI Internal Grant Agency (InGA) in the summer of 2021. The grant scheme is based on the principles of the successful SPARK Stanford Program.
The aim of the scheme is
- to increase the number and quality of research and development results created at MED MUNI and to apply them in practice,
- to increase interactions between MED MUNI and external partners from the application sector, including increasing awareness about MED MUNI research activities and results and
- to support applied research, experimental development, proof of concept studies and foundation of start-up/spin-off companies at MED MUNI.
The following requirements must be met for a project to receive funding:
- At least one result according to the definition of results (RIV), or a type O result, “other results”, whose main author is from the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University
- Demonstratable interaction with at least one commercial partner (written feedback on the project received, or letter of intent, confidentiality agreement, material transfer agreement) or other relevant entity (e.g., testing platform, clinical partner, expert infrastructure provider) that can contribute to advancing the results towards application
- Submission of at least one application for follow-up funding (external schemes – TA CR, [including Internal TTO PoC projects, funded from TA CR Sigma] AZV, OP TAK, HEU, etc.)
- Preparation of a non-confidential marketing presentation of the project and its publication via appropriate promotional channels
The expert panel for assessing the application potential of individual support applications:
- Mgr. Markéta Vlasáková, Ph.D., manager of intellectual property, Technology Transfer Office MU
- MUDr. Jana Vinklerová, Ph.D., MBA, CZECRIN, head of CTC, access & development manager
- Dr. Scott Kraft, Faculty Lead - Innovation Hub at W21C, University of Calgary; Director of the SPARK Calgary program
- prof. Craig Garner, Charité Berlin; previously Stanford University; Founder and Director of SPARK-BIH; Co-founder and Advisor, Navan Technologies, Inc. and Balance Therapeutics, Inc.
- i&i Prague: Bio-Innovation Center; Biotech Incubator & Venture Builder
Supported projects 2026
Principal Investigator: Mgr. Eliška Zgarbová, Ph.D., Department of Physiology
INHALE: Novel Inhaled Antibacterial Remedies for Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Diseases
Principal Investigator: doc. PharmDr. Jiří Kos, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry
Supported projects 2025
NANOSIOL: A nanopatterned surface on the artificial intraocular lens in prevention of secondary cataract
Principal Investigator: Mgr. Markéta Šuráňová, Ph.D., Department of Ophthalmology, FM MU
TERMINATED: EMbLEm - Detection of extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma based on liquid biopsies
Principal investigator: doc. RNDr. Sabina Ševčíková, Ph.D., Department of Pathophysiology, FM MU
TERMINATED: AD-iPSCs - Advanced Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines for Alzheimer’s Disease Modelling
Principal Investigator: Mgr. Dáša Bohačiaková, Ph.D., Department of Histology & Embryology, FM MU
Supported projects 2024
TERMINATED: 4TARGET - Novel eIF4F inhibitors for the treatment of drug-resistant melanoma
Principal investigator: Mgr. Stjepan Uldrijan, CSc., Department of Biology FM MU
Resistance of malignant melanoma to drugs targeting BRAF and MEK kinases is an important clinical problem. However, research results suggest that inhibitors of the eIF4F protein complex could suppress resistant cancer cells. Using a newly developed unique screening platform to identify eIF4F inhibitors, we successfully tested chemical libraries containing more than 85,000 low molecular weight compounds. We identified more than 200 candidate molecules potentially targeting eIF4F. In this project, the biological activity of the selected compounds will be validated in detail and further optimized in the "hit-to-lead" phase of new anticancer drug development.
RamanSound: Acoustic sorting device for non-contact presorting and sample enrichment before rapid identification and characterization of pathogens directly from human body fluids using a compact Raman spectroscopy-based device
Principal investigator: Mgr. Katarína Rebrošová, Department of Microbiology FM MU and SAUH
The aim of the project "Acoustic sorting device for non-contact presorting and sample enrichment before rapid identification and characterization of pathogens directly from human body fluids using a compact Raman spectroscopy-based device progenitors" is to develop an acoustic sorting device that increases the efficiency of a previously built compact device. This device, in conjunction with a Raman microspectrometer, is used to identify pathogens in human body fluids and at the same time to characterize their antimicrobial resistance. This would contribute to the early detection, treatment, and containment of antimicrobial resistance.
Supported projects 2023
TERMINATED: MUNIMILK 2 - Biotechnology for human milk production
Principal Investigator: Mgr. Zuzana Sumbalová Koledová, Ph.D., Department of Histology and Embryology, FM MU
This project aims to further develop the unique biotechnology for milk production in the laboratory towards production of human breast milk.
TERMINATED: CELL-MECHANIQ - A rapid robust technique to quantify the invasiveness of cancer cells based on their physical properties
Principal investigator: MUDr. Jaromír Gumulec, Ph.D., Ústav patologické fyziologie LF MU
CELL-MECHANIQ: Cell deformability is potential important diagnostic predictor of tumor aggressiveness. The aim of this project is to test the practical aspects of quantitative phase imaging (QPI) in this context.
TERMINATED: Surface modifications of three-dimensional titanium material used for implants in medicine
Principal Investigator: prof. RNDr. Monika Pávková Goldbergová, Ph.D., Department of Pathophysiology, FM MU
The aim of the project is development and characterisation of the advanced implants to significantly improve osseointegration and eliminate bacterial proliferation and biofilm production.
Supported projects 2022
TERMINATED: A compact device for rapid identification of pathogens from human body fluids
Principal researcher: Mgr. Katarína Rebrošová, Department of Microbiology FM MU and SAUH
The project aims to prepare a compact device to detect and characterize microbes directly from human body fluids. Early identification of agents and their antimicrobial resistance profile can significantly improve the treatment of infection, reduce healthcare costs, alleviate the growing antimicrobial resistance and save lives.
TERMINATED: Bioanalytical quality control of cGMP/ATMP-grade stem cells and progenitors
Main researcher: doc. RNDR Petr Vaňhara, Ph.D., Department of Histology and Embryology FM MU
Stem cells and progenitors are an essential resource for the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) drugs for advanced therapy and tissue engineering. The aim of the project is to translate new experimental quality control (QC) procedures into standard operational protocols.
TERMINATED: A high-throughput screening system for the identification of novel inhibitors against melanoma
Main researcher: Mgr. Stjepan Uldrijan, CSc., Department of Biology FM MU
High-throughput drug screening platforms are used to identify compounds with the desired biological activity that could lead to new therapies. The aim of the project is to develop a new cellular system for more efficient high-throughput screening of chemical libraries of compounds.
Contact
Ing. Daniela Podzemná
Technology transfer manager, Office for Research and Quality
| phone: | +420 549 49 6513 |
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Ing. Karolína Kašparová
Office for Research and Quality
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