International collaboration · 14 May 2026
Ukrainian–Polish–Romanian consortium submits a project proposal to the LUKE call
On 14 May 2026, an international consortium submitted the project proposal “Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) in the Focus of Cancer Research: AI-Assisted Screening of Small-Molecule TCTP Inhibitors, Chemical Optimization and Nanoformulations” to the LUKE (Linking Ukraine to the European Research Area) joint call implemented under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
The consortium brings together researchers from Ukraine, Poland and Romania. Alongside representatives of the Department of Biomedical Chemistry, the proposal was developed by scientists from the R. E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, Poland.
The proposed research focuses on identifying novel small-molecule TCTP inhibitors, optimizing their chemical structures and developing promising nanoformulations. The project integrates artificial intelligence, computational modelling, medicinal chemistry, experimental oncology and nanotechnology.
The LUKE initiative supports Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area and strengthens direct collaboration among research institutions across Eastern Europe. The call promotes research in biomedicine, telemedicine, sustainable energy, energy security, societal recovery, human capital development, critical-infrastructure cyber resilience and adaptive cybersecurity systems.
NRFU competition · 8 May 2026
New project to investigate plant-derived compounds with neurotropic potential
An application for the project “Development of a plant cell biotechnology platform for producing plant-derived compounds with neurotropic activity and potential relevance to the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder” has been submitted to the National Research Foundation of Ukraine call “Applied Science for Ukraine’s Resilience and Recovery”. Registration number: 2026.08/0154.
The project aims to establish a high-yield tissue culture of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) as a standardized source of biologically active compounds. This approach will enable the production of plant biomass with a stable chemical composition regardless of season and without depleting natural resources.
The study will characterize the composition and antioxidant activity of the extracts, together with the biotechnological and genetic properties of the tissue culture. Chemical analysis will be performed using chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Machine-learning models will be used to predict the potential neurotropic activity of natural compounds and prioritize the most promising candidates for subsequent experimental validation.
Expected outputs include a validated specification for the Baikal skullcap tissue culture, a patent application and a foundation for developing plant-derived products with potential anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects.
NRFU competition · 8 May 2026
Project submitted to the NRFU competition “Applied Science for the Resilience and Recovery of Ukraine”
On 8 May, project No. 2026.08/0057, “Development of Monomethine Cyanine Fluorescent Probes for Nucleic Acid Detection Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction”, was submitted to the National Research Foundation of Ukraine competition “Applied Science for the Resilience and Recovery of Ukraine”.
The project aims to develop novel monomethine cyanine fluorescent probes for the highly sensitive detection of nucleic acids using real-time PCR. The research combines organic synthesis, fluorescence analysis and molecular diagnostics.
The project was submitted jointly with the Institute of Organic Chemistry, NAS of Ukraine.
