Institute of Chemical Biology - Chemical Carcinogenesis and Genetic Toxicology

The Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), [named as Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology (IBMCB) until 6/5/2019] was founded in February 2012 from the merger of the Institutes of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB) and Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (IOPC) of the National Hellenic Research Foundation. The two components of the new Institute have a long presence in the Greek research ecosystem, successfully conducting high-level scientific research; the IBRB since 1977 in the areas of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, and the IOPC since 1989 in the fields of Organic, Organometallic and Medicinal Chemistry.

The key objective of ICB is to capitalise on the strengths of the two pre-existing Institutes to promote research, education and innovation thus, maximizing the added value and synergies of the merger. ICB aims to develop cutting-edge research and innovation through a modern interdisciplinary approach at the interface of Chemistry and Biology, unique in Greece, to solve cutting-edge issues in the areas of health, Drug discovery and biotechnology, exploiting the unique combination of expertise and infrastructure of the new Institute.

ICB aims to develop cutting-edge research and innovation through a modern interdisciplinary approach at the interface of Chemistry and Biology, exploiting the unique combination of expertise and infrastructure of the new Institute.

Thus, the ICB acts as a pole of innovation, unique in Greece, implementing a comprehensive and modern research approach to solve cutting-edge issues in the areas of health, Drug discovery and biotechnology.

The ICB as part of NHRF is located in the center of Athens in close proximity to Universities and Research Centers of the Attika region, and is surrounded by major hospitals and university clinics encompassing 50% of the hospital beds of Greece. Thus, ICB’s location is an asset for fruitful collaborations with key research players with complementary expertise.

The ICB aspires to play a key role, at both national and international levels, in research for Drug discovery and biological target identification, in holistic approaches in health as well as in research on high added-value fine chemicals, biotech products and processes. The research activities of ICB are epitomized in three interconnected strategic pillars, supported by specific research projects. ICB researchers contribute, interact, collaborate, synergize, and exchange knowledge and expertise to successfully meet the excellence goals of the Institute in both basic research and translation of the findings in Drug and biomedical applications.

ICB is currently the only Institute in Greece employing an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to disease prevention and treatment, combining state-of-the-art biological research (biological target identification, biological evaluation of bioactive agents, biomarker discovery) with synthetic and medicinal chemistry and molecular analysis (rational design and synthesis of bioactive compounds – potential Drugs). ICB participates in calls promoting the national research priorities “Biomedicine & Health”, “Agro-Biotechnology & Food”, “Energy & Environment” in the framework of Research and Technology Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3).

Excellence Objectives

The individual Excellence objectives of ICB include:

Discovery and development of targeted bioactive compounds, smart probes and theranostics for disease prevention, treatment and diagnosis.
Identification and validation of disease- and Dr.ug-related biomarkers using modern holistic approaches.
Basic research to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in physiological and pathological conditions.
(Nano) Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology and Green Chemistry for the production of high added value products with applications in food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemicals.
Promotion of translational research through closer collaboration with clinical scientists.
Consolidation of the activities of ICB in the education of young scientists and promotion of the diffusion of scientific knowledge to the society.
Strengthening of partnerships with the private sector, transfer of know-how and provision of specialized research services to the public and private sector.
Exploitation of research results through patents and creation of spin-off and start-up companies.

Scientific directions and thematic priorities

Current scientific directions and thematic priorities

The research activities of ICB are epitomized in three interconnected strategic pillars, supported by specific research projects. ICB researchers contribute, interact, collaborate, synergize, exchange knowledge and expertise in order to successfully meet the excellence goals of the Institute.

The three main research pillars of the ICB are:

Drug Discovery - Discovery and development of bioactive compounds for disease prevention and treatment. ICB is unique in Greece in Dr.ug research employing a comprehensive integrated approach encompassing all the stages of Dr.ug discovery including early preclinical development.
Identification and validation of disease- and Drug-related biomarkers through modern holistic approaches.
Biotechnology & Green Chemistry for the production of compounds with applications in food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemicals.

The ICB aspires to play a key role, nationally and internationally, in research for Drug discovery and biological target identification, as well as in research on high added-value fine chemicals, biotech products and processes, relying on the exploitation of the synergy between Chemistry and Biology, the expertise of its research staff and its significant state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Schematic representation of ICB research activities

Achievements

BIBLIOMETRIC OUTPUT

ICB maintained an excellent publication track record during the reporting period in top-ranking scientific journals with an average of more than three publications per year per researcher. Regarding quality, 74% of the papers were published in journals with IF >4. The increase by 136% in the number of publications in Journals with IF>8, like Nature Energy, Nature Immunology, Cell Metabolism, Nature Communications, Science Advances is also worth highlighting. Most importantly the visibility and impact of ICB researchers’ publications during the current evaluation period have raised Dr.amatically. On average the papers published over the 2018-2021 period obtained 45% and 82% more citations than those obtained over the previous evaluation periods 2014-2017 and 2010-2013, respectively.

TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (2018-2021)

Moreover, an important activity has been the co-organisation of 5 inter-institutional programs of Post-graduate Studies (MSc) with University Faculties on: “Bio-enterpreneurship”, “Oncology: from oncogenesis to therapy”, “Biotechnology”, “Neurosciences”, “Biochemistry and Chemical Biology”. Consequently, ICB researchers trained 272 young scientists from Greece and abroad through research, lectures, courses and practicals in undergraduate (78 individuals) and postgraduate level (194 individuals).

INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Regarding Innovation and Intellectual Property 5 new patents were generated by ICB Researchers during the period. Creation of 3 new spin-off and start-up companies during the period was materialized by ICB Researchers and participation in 3 additional Greek or foreign companies was recorded.

FUNDING

Attracting external funding (2018-2021). Over the period 2018-2021, a total of ~10.7 M€ was secured from external funding sources namely, Greek Programmes (NSRF, HFRI, Emblematic actions), EC Programmes (i.e ERC Consolidator Grant and Coordination of a H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017), Private Funding (i.e. R&D contracted by firms and other private legal entities, & sales of products and services, studies, tests, to third parties), individual Scholarships (i.e. IKY, HFRI and others) and matching funds.
The ICB serves as a center for education at all educational levels and thus plays an important role in the formation and training of the next generation of scientists.

Milestones

ICB Milestones 2018-2021