JEZGRA-17 (MSES)

JEZGRA - 17

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Full title: The Center for Monoclonal Antibody Production

Grantor: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia

Grantor's website: http://public.mzos.hr/Default.aspx?sec=2428

Programme: JEZGRA

Duration: 2005 - 2007

Coordinator: Stipan Jonjic, Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka

No. of participants: 1

Total funding: EUR 499.104

Brief description:

The main objective of the project JEZGRA-17 was setting up of the Center for Proteomics. The Center's basic activity involves high-throughput monoclonal antibody production. This includes the implementation of technologies and professional personnel training for the following procedures: gene expression and setup of specific proteins for immunization, breeding and immunization of laboratory mice, production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies, generation of protein and hybridoma cell lines bank, development of associated bioinformatics support and commercialization of monoclonal antibodies.

The lack of antibodies as key reagents for protein characterization and their application in biology, medicine and biotechnology, represents a limiting factor in the post genomic era. Therefore, it was predicted that exactly high-throughput monoclonal antibody (mAb) production would significantly contribute to development of proteomics as well as biology and biomedicine as such.

A critical mass of experts with experience in the production of monoclonal antibodies and breeding of laboratory animals was formed at the Faculty of Medicine University of Rijeka, determined to contribute to development of a unique database of mAb specific for several thousands of human proteins in the period of five years.

In parallel with the establishment of the Center for Antibody Production Rijeka (CAPRI), major efforts were invested to bring into life the Center for Breeding and Engineering of Laboratory Mice (LAMRI), also part of the Center for Proteomics project, with a foremost aim to become the backbone of research activities in the field of proteomics for the Region of SE Europe.

This grant enabled the Center for Proteomics to purchase the key equipment and laboratory furniture necessary to start carrying out the planned activities. Therefore, the realization of the main objectives of this project enabled a creation of a solid basis for the self-sustainability of the Center for Proteomics, which represents an important part of the scientific community of the University of Rijeka and of Croatian bioscience in general.