According to an announcement of the National Science Centre, Prof. Józef Dulak from the JU Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology and Prof. Szczepan Zapotoczny from the JU Faculty of Chemistry have been awarded in the second edition of the international Sheng 2 call for Polish-Chinese research projects. The total amount of funding for both projects is equal to nearly 3.7 million zlotys (~800 thousand euro).
The international bilateral call for Polish-Chinese research projects, SHENG 2, organised by the National Science Centre in collaboration with the National Natural Science Foundation of China relies on a parallel review procedure. This means that both agencies carried out parallel formal eligibility checks and merit-based assessments and funding was granted only to projects recommended both by the NCN and the NSFC. Because of the very high quality of submitted proposals, the ranking list only includes the projects selected as the best by both agencies.
The successful projects will be carried out in Poland and China and each will have two principal investigators, one in either country. The grant may go toward funding research team salaries, scholarships for students or PhD students, purchasing or manufacturing research equipment, and other necessary costs necessary to complete the Polish part of the research project.
Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death around the world. A large proportion of people who suffer heart attacks also develop heart failure due to other causes, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, or various infections. At just 50%, the five-year survival rate of patients with heart failure is lower than for many cancers. These problems will be addressed by Prof. Józef Dulak from the JU Department of Medical Biotechnology in the project Genetically-enhanced HiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells for post-myocardial infarction cardiac repair. The findings of the project will pave the way for new, safe and effective heart failure treatments. The project was awarded nearly 2 million PLN in funding. It will be realised jointly with Prof. Sifeng Chen from Fudan University.
Fibres as a kind of one dimensional materials with large length-to-diameter ratio and softness have been known and used for thousands of years for making textiles. Fibres can be further processed into yarns, fabrics and can be subjected to well-established textile manufacturing techniques, such as dyeing, twisting, sewing, knitting, etc. The research and applications of fibrous materials are directly related to the daily life and the development of relevant manufacturing industry. However, the conventional fibres and fibre-based devices can no longer meet the automation and intellectualisation requirements of modern society, as well as people’s consumption needs in pursuit of smart, fashion and distinctiveness. Prof. Szczepan Zapotoczny from the JU Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry will be carrying out the project Smart fibers based on natural biopolymers, aiming to design a series of smart fibres based on natural biopolymers, mainly including fast-response thermochromic cellulosic fibres, together with a team led by Prof. Peiyi Wu from Donghua University.
Source: ncn.gov.pl
