On 20 April 2016 the Max Planck Laboratory was opened at the Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB) at the Jagiellonian University's Third Campus. The new JU research unit was opened in collaboration with the Max Planck Society (Max Planck Geselschaft – MPG).
The grand opening featured the Rector of the JU Prof. Wojciech Nowak, JU Vice-Rectors Prof. Stanisław Kistryn and Prof. Piotr Laidler, Chairman of the MCB Committee Prof. Kazimierz Strzałka, highest ranking members of Polish academic and scientific bodies, MPG Vice-President Prof. Bill Hansson, representatives of other Polish higher education institutions as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
The opening ceremony started with the cutting of the ribbon, which was followed by a meeting in the assembly hall, opened by Dr Sebastian Glatt, who will run the newly opened laboratory. Then the participants were addressed by the Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Wojciech Nowak. He thanked the Max Planck Society for the fruitful collaboration and stressed the significance of partnership with such a prestigious scientific organisation, which has selected the Jagiellonian University from among a number of candidate institutions. The JU Rector wished Dr Sebastian Glatt successful research.
The Rector's speech was followed by an address by the Vice-President of MPG Prof. Bill Hansson, who pointed out that "biochemistry has undoubtedly been one of the most dynamic and forward looking fields of science for quite some time now. It has come a long way from its origins in physiological chemistry to a discipline engaged in virtually all areas of life sciences: from botany to medicine and genetics." He stressed that international research projects such as Max Planck Laboratory play a very important role in that field of science and expressed his conviction that the Kraków lab will contribute the advancement of the discipline and serve as a model research unit for Poland and the entire region.
Prof. Kazimierz Strzałka, the Chairman of the MCB, underlined that the goals of a research university cannot be attained without broad international cooperation and reminded that partnership with the MPG means not only great opportunities but also great responsibility.
The academic part of the meeting started with the lecture of the Nobel Prize laureate Prof. Ada E. Yonath, who delivered the lecture "MPG, EMBO, WIS, the ribosome and critical resistance to antibiotics". Other speakers included Dr. Christoph W Müller (EMBL Heidelberg) and Dr. Wolfgang Baumeister (MPI of Biochemistry).
The Max Planck Society is an independent German research institution that is funded by the government. It is one of the most prestigious research and development organisations in the world. Its researchers have so far received 18 Nobel prizes. The Society coordinates research in 80 institutes in Germany and other European countries.
The Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology is a joint initiative of the Jagiellonian University and the University of Agriculture in Kraków. It was established within the framework of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme at the cost of 25 million euro. The main purpose of the institution is to conduct research at the highest possible level, generating innovation and patents, and to focus on working with companies operating in the area of life sciences.
