Press Releases

Already for the second time, more than twenty scientists from world-renowned institutions have travelled to Brno to evaluate the work of experts from CEITEC. The foreign experts have personal meetings with all the scientists from CEITEC, assess the results of their work as well as scientific progress in the last two years. While this kind of evaluation – without the participation of local assessors – is the norm in other countries, in the Czech Republic it is an innovation. Given that CEITEC aims to find a place among the world’s top institutions, it needs to have transparent and independent assessment of its scientists. The evaluation itself is planned for September 22-24.

An oval building, underground laboratories, glass walls, instruments both huge and tiny with names that mean little to most of us, scientists in white coats … So a bit like something out of a science fiction movie in the eyes of many of the secondary school students who took advantage of the Open Day on September 17 to take a look at the scientific facilities of CEITEC Masaryk University. While a new pavilion with the most up-to-date equipment was opened at CEITEC MU only a week ago, the management of the centre are aware that scientific progress depends firstly on people. For this reason they want to interest the best and brightest already while they are in secondary school. The organisers of this event invited students from selected Brno secondary schools to meet world-renowned scientists already working at CEITEC who shared with them their experiences from their teenage years. They presented demanding scientific themes to these students in such a way that they were not only able to understand them but also to discuss them.

Two new pavilions for scientific teams focussing on research into biologically significant molecules, evolution and the genetic equipment of plants, as well the human mind and people’s health were today opened by the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) at the Bohunice University Campus of Masaryk University (MU) in Brno. Scientists can now begin to make use of first rate laboratories and unique equipment that can be found in only a few workplaces in the world. 

A microscope, unique even by world standards. This is one of the outcomes of the scientific reseach at CEITEC BUT, which also serves as an example of how to access European funds. Thanks to well-chosen instruments and technology acquired through the targeted support of the ERDF - European Regional Development Fund, for large infrastructures and approved by the Czech government, they have been able to obtain and implement research projects awarded directly by the European Commission. The result of the synergy of national and european grant policy is exemplified by the participation of CEITEC BUT scientists in the scientific research project UnivSEM. This is financed from the main instruments of the European Union for financing research and development, 7th Framework Programme (FP7).

The Central European Institute of Technology - Masaryk University (CEITEC MU) is the only institution in the Czech Republic to win a prestigious European grant from the “ERA Chairs” programme. Financial support to the tune of EUR 2.2 million makes it possible to take on a top-class scientist who, with their research team, will expand our understanding in the fields of chemical and cell biology. 

The Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) has become a member of the EU-LIFE consortium, made up of the thirteen best European research institutes in the life sciences. CEITEC is the only research organisation from the new member states of the EU to joint his group.

Karel Říha has received an EMBO Installation Grant and is the only Czech scientist to have done so in 2013. EMBO – the European Molecular Biology Organization gives grants once a year and this year has awarded it to six scientists from the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal and Turkey. The EMBO Installation Grant enables the successful researchers to establish their own research group in the country of their origin. 

On 18 November the former First Deputy Minister of Education Jiří Nantl became the new Operational Director of CEITEC. The competence of the Operational Director of CEITEC includes mainly financial and project management, quality, risk management and human resources management. This experienced manager has been appointed to this position based on an open selection procedure.

As of today, the Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University (CEITEC MU), has unique equipment at its disposal making it possible to explore the transcription of genetic information, among other things. The biological SAXS camera is part of the newly open Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction core facility. This unique laboratory equipment will contribute to the study of complex biological processes and will foster a better understanding of the causes of cancerous proliferation and, thus, contribute to treatment.

Scientists from CEITEC BUT are developing special ceramic materials to replace jaw bone. They are manufacturing ceramic granules which can be filled with a unique biopolymer and in the form of a solution use them as “ink” in 3D printers. These print ceramic implants of jaw bone to meet the specific requirements of individual patients. Scientists from Moravia’s metropolis won this grant in cooperation with German, Swedish, Spanish and Chinese experts. The research combines several technologies that are already in use and utilises them in medicine in line with current trends towards reducing treatment costs.