IOCB Prague is celebrating two significant achievements in the field of scientific research. Dr. Tomáš Pluskal, who leads a research group at the institute, has been accepted into the prestigious ‘Young Investigator Programme’ of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and has also secured one of Europe’s most competitive grants from the European Research Council (ERC).
Dr. Pluskal's project, TerpenCode, caught the attention of the ERC with its innovative application of machine learning in biochemistry. The project seeks to overcome longstanding obstacles in enzyme development. Currently, it is impossible to accurately predict the functions of newly discovered enzymes or to generate enzymes for specific reactions. Dr. Pluskal has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to pursue this project, securing more than 2 million euros for the next five years.
“Progress in this field has been slow and remains highly limited. We’re currently capable of creating new versions of known enzymes, but no one has yet managed to develop entirely new enzymes for reactions we’ve never seen before,” explains Tomáš Pluskal why he decided to focus his research on this area.
If these barriers are overcome, the result could be more efficient and environmentally sustainable production of pharmaceuticals, fragrances, biofuels, and other valuable chemical substances. Enzymes play a key role in biotechnology because they catalyze chemical reactions that are often difficult to achieve through organic synthesis.
With six active ERC grants and a total of nine awarded in its history, IOCB Prague is among the top Czech institutions in obtaining this prestigious European funding.
In addition to the ERC grant, Dr. Pluskal has also secured a position in the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). EMBO’s mission is to connect young, talented researchers with distinguished experts in the field. The ‘Young Investigator Programme’ offers more than just networking – it provides smaller grants, training opportunities, and mentorship.
Membership in this elite scientific community highlights the global potential of Dr. Pluskal's research. EMBO aims to nurture this potential, supporting cutting-edge research that could have a profound impact on society at large.
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