Participant from IBIR – BAS: Rossitza Konakchieva, DSc, Professor

Partner institution: Placenta Labor – Research group of the Department of Obstetrics, Universitaetsfrauenklinik, Friedrich Schiller Universitaet, Jena, Germany ((http://www2.uni-jena.de/ufk/placentalabor/cms/).

Host of the visit: Prof. Dr. Udo Markert, Head of the Placenta Labor

Duration: 20 – 28.10.2012

Aim of the visit: Discussion of scientific topics and research plans of common interest, exchange of information on bilateral and international funding schemes, meetings with PhD students and young researchers.

The visit started with welcome meeting at the Placenta laboratory. Prof. Konakchieva was introduced by Prof. Markert to the staff members and shown around the laboratories and the Frauenklinik. Dr. Markert described in an overview the main running projects at the Placenta research groups, giving more specific information on different research tasks, experimental approaches and the responsible staff.

During the visit at the premises of the Placenta lab and on other occasions, small meetings were carried out with different stage researchers who provided summary of their research and discussed their current work with Dr. Konakchieva. Discussed topics included among others: in-vitro toxicity studies using human placenta as a model system, approaches using siRNA and investigating miRNA modifications to target silencing of specific functions in primary cells and cell lines from reproductive origin. Recapitulation was made on the DAAD-post doc training of Georgi Georgiev at the Placenta lab. The hosts confirmed that Dr. Georgiev accomplished successfully in August his post-doc training funded by DAAD, and has contributed adequately with his skills and methodological expertise to the research work in the host laboratory. The perspectives of research aimed at protein and gene profiling of granulosa cells from primary origin and immortalized granulosa cell lines were discussed and methodological experience exchanged with members of the staff involved in the project submitted to the National Science Fund of Bulgaria earlier this year.

Engagement in scientific work at the Placenta laboratory of great amount of students supported by different funding German and foreign institutions was of special interest to the visitor. The routine recruitment of young scientists at the research group is achieved through involvement of medical undergraduates in small scientific projects for the endowment of academic doctoral degree, as well as enrollment of PhD students in programs supported by the government but also by third parties. The broad spectrum of research topics in regard to different aspect of development from conception to birth appears challenging for students studying not only Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, but also Chemistry, Nutrition etc. At inquire of the visitor Dr. Markert described the main areas and sources of funding available to the laboratory and pointed out at alternatives of establishing public-private partnerships with interested industry partners. In Germany, such establishments for R&D of innovation and new technologies are facilitated and subjected to specific measures and financial support from the government.

On 23 October, Prof. Konakchieva was invited to give a presentation at the Seminar of the Placenta research group. The seminar was attended by Dr. med. Tanja Groten, Dr. rer. nat. Diana Morales, Dr. med. Justine Fitzgerald, Dipl. biol. Maja Weber, Dipl. biol. Jana Pastuschek, Dipl. biol. Stephanie Ospina Prieto, Dipl. Ing. Claudia Göhner, Michael Schoenleben and other undergraduates, PhD students etc. Dr. Konakchieva underlined at the audience the significance of the Placenta lab as a supporting partner for the ReProForce project .She especially acknowledged the generous activity of Prof. Markert to provide experimental facilities and supervision to several scientific mobility visits of IBIR scientists (Dr. M. Mourdjeva, Dr. G. Georgiev, res. assoc. E. Stoyanova, res. assoc. K. Vinketova). Dr. Konakchieva expressed her personal and that of the ReProForce Managing board gratitude for Dr. Markert’s inevitable assistance and overall support despite his busyness as a newly elected President of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology. In her presentation, Dr. Konakchieva provided an overview of the current research topics and infrastructure at IBIR-BAS, presented the newly equipped laboratories and the most important new facilities purchased under the ReProForce project. She outlined some perspectives for application of fundamental research results achieved at IBIR in Bulgarian IVF clinics and stem cell banks and current topics of interest for biomedical industry sector. The presentation was attended with interest and showed IBIR as an attractive academic institution with great potential for recruitment of young scientists.

During the visit a partner dinner was given to Prof. Konakchieva by the host. The partners agreed to act in concert and approach representatives in both countries to develop long-term bilateral program for training and academic exchange of young and experienced scientists. Prof. Markert confirmed his willingness to further support endeavors of IBIR scientists to collaborate with his group and to accept under appropriate funding post-docs and PhD students. Other international fellowship programs like Marie Curie Action Program have been also concerned with reference to their potential to provide opportunities for an academic exchange at different level of research experienced scientists and support in general research careers.

During the visit Prof. Konakchieva has been offered overall assistance and constructive collaboration by the staff members of the Placenta lab. She enjoyed the hospitality and kind informal settings arranged by the hosts which enabled the accomplishment of an intense and successful short scientific visit.