The list of international projects SAS
Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS
Európska sieť pre biológiu rezolúcie zápalu (EU-RESOLVE)
EU-Resolution Biology Network (EU-RESOLVE)
| Duration: |
15.10.2026 - 14.10.2029 |
| Program: |
COST |
| Project leader: |
doc. RNDr. Pecháňová Oľga DrSc. |
| Annotation: | EU-RESOLVE aims to create a multidisciplinary, pan-European network of excellence in Resolution Biology. This network will bring together academics, clinicians, biotechnology companies, and other stakeholders. EU-RESOLVE will advance the understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the resolution of inflammation and accelerate the translation of these findings into more effective treatments for patients with inflammatory diseases. |
EUropean network to tackle METAbolic alterations in HEART failure
Európska sieť na riešenie metabolických zmien pri zlyhaní srdca
Identification & characterization of circulating mediators of liver dysfunction-induced HFpEF in MASLD patients
Identifikácia a charakterizácia cirkulujúcich mediátorov HFpEF vyvolanej dysfunkciou pečene u pacientov s MASLD
| Duration: |
1.3.2026 - 28.2.2029 |
| Program: |
ERANET |
| Project leader: |
doc. RNDr. Barteková Monika DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Metabolic dysfunction associated with fatty liver disease (MASLD) increases the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and worsens the patient’s prognosis. Given the sharp rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes, early diagnosis and synergistic therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the management of both conditions. Interestingly, MASLD and HFpEF share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. However, the underlying mechanisms linking MASLD to HFpEF remain poorly understood. The main objective of the INTERACT consortium is to provide a better understanding of the interaction between the liver and the heart by identifying common circulating metabolites or inflammatory markers associated with MASLD and metabolic HFpEF and investigating their causal role in the development of MASLD/metabolic HFpEF. |
Reward-stress interactions as neurobiological substrate for resilience and vulnerability in mental health and depression: A translational large-scale project
Interakcia medzi odmenou a stresom ako neurobiologický podklad odolnosti a rezistencie v duševnom zdraví a depresii: Rozsiahly translačný projekt
NEW APPROACH METHODOLOGIES FOR SCALABLE COORDINATION, ACCEPTANCE, AND POLICY-DRIVEN EXPLOITATION
Nové prístupy a metodiky pre škálovateľnú koordináciu, akceptáciu a využívanie výsledkov výskumu v súlade s politickými a regulačnými prioritami.
| Duration: |
1.11.2026 - 31.10.2029 |
| Program: |
Horizon Europe |
| Project leader: |
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Kanďárová Helena ERT |
| Annotation: | NAMSCAPE supports the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) Action on accelerating New
Approach Methodologies (NAMs) under the ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027 (ref.1-2) within the Horizon Europe
framework (ref.3). Its main role is to support the four ERA Working Groups (ERA WGs) effectively and turn their
expertise into practical European outputs The ERA WGs already bring together the key stakeholders needed by the
call (ministries, regulators, funders, researchers, industry, CROs, SMEs, and other experts) so stakeholder
involvement is built into the project from the start. NAMSCAPE does not create a parallel structure or develop new
NAMs itself. Instead, it provides the coordination, tools, and practical frameworks needed to reduce fragmentation,
support priority-setting, clarify evidence needs, and improve readiness for uptake across Europe. The final aim is to
create a framework that will last after the ERA agenda already fully operational and supported by the participating
EU countries. The urgency of this action is underscored by continued animal use in the European Union (ref.4) and
the persistent “translational gap” in drug development (ref.4,6).
Despite extensive efforts across Europe, uptake and implementation of NAMs remain limited and uneven,
highlighting the need for stronger coordination and synergy. Within the scope of the ERA action, NAMSCAPE
addresses this gap by aligning and leveraging existing initiatives to maximise their collective impact |
OECD High-Level Guidance for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Safety Assessment – Framework for Trustworthy AI in Chemical Safety
OECD High-Level Guidance for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Safety Assessment – Framework for Trustworthy AI in Chemical Safety
| Duration: |
29.9.2026 - 30.9.2028 |
| Program: |
Other |
| Project leader: |
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Kanďárová Helena ERT |
| Annotation: | The OECD project aims to establish an internationally harmonised framework for the trustworthy and responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into chemical safety assessment and regulatory toxicology. Its objective is to define scientific and technical criteria ensuring the transparency, reliability, reproducibility, and uncertainty assessment of AI-based models, including requirements for their validation and regulatory acceptance. The project also includes the evaluation of practical case studies and supports the regulatory implementation of AI-driven New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
The project is jointly led by the Slovak Republic (Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences) and Italy (Istituto Superiore di Sanità). |
ONTOX - Ontology-driven and artificial intelligence-based repeated dose toxicity testing of chemicals for next generation risk assessment
ONTOX - Testovanie opakovanej toxicity chemických látok na základe ontológie a umelej inteligencie za účelom hodnotenia rizík metódami NGRA
| Duration: |
1.5.2021 - 31.10.2026 |
| Program: |
Horizon 2020 |
| Project leader: |
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Kanďárová Helena ERT |
| Annotation: | The vision of the ONTOX project is to provide a functional and sustainable solution for advancing human risk assessment of chemicals without the use of animals in line with the principles of 21st century toxicity testing and next-generation risk assessment. Specifically, ONTOX will deliver a generic strategy to create innovative new approach methodologies (NAMs) in order to predict systemic repeated dose toxicity effects that, upon the combination with tailored exposure assessment, will enable human risk assessment.
This strategy can be applied to any type of chemical and systemic repeated dose toxicity effect. However, for proof-of-concept purposes, focus will be put on 6 specific NAMs addressing adversities in the liver (steatosis and cholestasis), kidneys (tubular necrosis and crystallopathy) and developing brain (neural tube closure and cognitive function defects) induced by a variety of chemicals, including from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and biocide sectors.
The 6 NAMs will each consist of a computational system based on cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and will be primarily fed by available biological/mechanistic, toxicological/ epidemiological, physico-chemical and kinetic data. Data will be consecutively integrated in physiological maps, quantitative adverse outcome pathway networks and ontology frameworks. Data gaps, as identified by AI, will be filled by targeted state-of-the-art in vitro and in silico testing.
The 6 NAMs will be evaluated and applied in collaboration with industrial and regulatory stakeholders in order to maximise end-user acceptance and regulatory confidence. This is anticipated to expedite implementation in risk assessment practice and to facilitate commercialisation. ONTOX will have a deep and long-lasting impact at many levels, in particular by consolidating Europe's world-leading position regarding the development, exploitation, regulation and application of animal-free methods for human risk assessment of chemicals.
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Bridging the gap between cardiac and vascular regeneration
Preklenutie medzery medzi srdcovou a cievnou regeneráciou
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
Horizon Europe |
| Project leader: |
doc. RNDr. Barteková Monika DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Our project has the ambition to develop innovative therapies based on RNA to simultaneously induce the regeneration of the muscular and vascular components of the heart after cardiac damage. Toward this goal, we will explore two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that the regeneration of the muscular component in sufficient to trigger re-vascularization. The second hypothesis is that the two processes, the regeneration of the cardiac muscle and its blood vessels, need to be stimulated in parallel to achieve functional regeneration of the heart. Whatever the mechanism, our project will develop novel RNA drugs, encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles, able to simultaneously trigger the regeneration of the cardiac muscle and its effective vascularisation. |
Natural compounds against rheumatoid arthritis and its comorbidities, focus on prevention of blood–brain barrier disfunction
Prírodné látky pre terapiu reumatoidnej artritídy a jej komorbidít so zameraním na disfunkciu hematoencefalickej bariery
| Duration: |
1.1.2025 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
Bilateral - other |
| Project leader: |
PharmDr. Bauerová Katarína PhD., DrSc. |
| Annotation: | We will study the effect of selected natural compounds from different sources and different molecular structures on arthritic symptoms of RA and on extra-arthritic events, focusing on BBB dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Our attention will focus on compounds not yet considered as potential adjuvant agents for RA treatment and that, accordingly with detailed literature research, may potentially act against RA and/or neuroinflammation
Within the context of this project the SAS team will carry out the in vivo studies by using adjuvant arthritis model necessary to verify the effectiveness of the natural compounds selected in vitro by CNR colleagues. The SAS team will also carry out the assessment of specific inflammatory markers in plasma and in joint and spleen tissue samples. The SAS team will provide brain samples for CNR team. Further also NMR measurements in vivo will be done together with behavioral testing. |
Exploration of toxicology properties of drug candidates with antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
Skúmanie toxikologických vlastností kandidátov liečiv s antimikrobiálnymi a antivírusovými vlastnosťami
| Duration: |
1.9.2024 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
Multilateral - other |
| Project leader: |
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Kanďárová Helena ERT |
| Annotation: | The project focuses on exploring the toxicological properties of compounds with potential applications in the treatment of COVID-19. In vitro models of lung, nasal, and alveolar tissues will be employed to assess the safety and efficacy of drug candidates. This approach supports the development of novel therapeutic options while adhering to the principles of alternative testing methods. |
Validation of a Vaginal Irritation Protocol for the In Vitro Assessment of Medical Devices
Validácia protokolu vaginálnej iritácie pre hodnotenie zdravotníckych pomôcok in vitro
| Duration: |
1.12.2024 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
Multilateral - other |
| Project leader: |
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Kanďárová Helena ERT |
| Annotation: | The project aims to validate a reconstructed human vaginal model for in vitro testing of personal care products intended for use in the vaginal area. The results will be submitted to the ISO committee for potential implementation into the ISO 10993-23 standard, advancing safety assessment methodologies and promoting alternative testing approaches. |
Developing new miRNA therapeutics for cardioprotection
Vývoj nových miRNA terapeutík pre kardioprotekciu
| Duration: |
1.7.2025 - 30.6.2027 |
| Program: |
Bilateral - other |
| Project leader: |
doc. RNDr. Barteková Monika DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Myocardial infarction (MI) is a top cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Despite the golden standard for the
treatment of MI by timely reperfusion by the means of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) saves lot
of lives post-MI, there is still no cardioprotective compound on the market that could effectively prevent the
consequences of MI or improve the effectiveness of reperfusion. Thus searching for the novel cardioprotective
compounds is very much needed. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a
significant role in gene transcription regulation and have been found to play a role in the MI. Some of miRNAs have
been reported to be involved in the development of the heart injury in MI, others have been identified as
"protectomiRs", i.e., miRNAs with cardioprotective potential in MI. Based on these findings there is an extensive
research in the field of developing miRNA-based therapeutics for cardioprotection. In line with this trend, the
current project is aimed to identify the most efficient miRNAs for cardioprotection against MI-induced heart injury
and to optimize the mode of delivery of these protectomiRs to the heart by searching the optimal carriers or
vehicles for their application. |
The total number of projects: 12
