Institute received the infrastructure development grant

In 2023, the university held its second call for proposals for the development of research infrastructure. The aim of the call was to support capital investments in order to maintain up-to-date research equipment and infrastructure across various fields. This is crucial to ensure high-quality research and increase the volume of infrastructure services offered by the university to external parties, as well as generate revenue from entrepreneurial contracts.
 

Conditions for Grant Allocation and Evaluation of Proposals
 
Researchers from all fields were eligible to apply for the grant. The total amount allocated for new projects starting this year, managed by the Grant Office but evaluated within the respective fields in the university, was 840,000 euros. The grant amount for each project could range from 100,000 to 500,000 euros, covering up to 50% of the project cost. Consequently, a minimum of 50% of the project cost had to be financed by the applicants themselves.
 

The project "Upgrading Scientific Equipment for the Study of Macromolecular Complexes" received funding
 

Out of ten submitted applications, a total of seven projects were granted support, including the project "Upgrading Scientific Equipment for the Study of Macromolecular Complexes" from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, receiving a funding amount of 126,000 euros. The project is scheduled to be implemented by March 31, 2024.

The main objective of the project is to upgrade and modernize the physically depreciated scientific equipment necessary for the separation and analysis of various macromolecular complexes and their constituents. This is essential for maintaining the high quality of research conducted at the institute and increasing its international competitiveness.

The second objective is to establish new capabilities for analyzing macromolecules, including the introduction of unique methods in the context of Estonia, such as innovative analytical techniques related to wood chemistry. In the long term, the project contributes to the establishment of a core laboratory for macromolecular complexes at the institute, where various types of macromolecules can be purified, quantified, and analyzed using state-of-the-art precision methods.

As a result of the project, the institute's ability to provide specific analysis services to research groups and industrial partners will be enhanced.

The graphics used:
LPMO induced cellulose degradation reaction (author: Priit Väljamäe)