Dr Kateřina Schwarzerová and Assoc. Prof. Michal Vinkler have been selected as main proposers for two newly funded international research networks—PlantWallK and EVIM-NET. The competition saw hundreds of proposals submitted from across Europe, with only 8.3% receiving support. Congratulations!
PlantWallK will Connect Research on Plant Cell Walls
Dr Kateřina Schwarzerová, Department of Experimental Plant Biology
The PlantWallK project will establish an international network of scientists focused on exploring the complex structure and function of plant cell walls. It will address their chemical composition, biomechanics, and coordination with other cellular processes. A modern platform will be created for sharing data, methods, and research tools, enabling accelerated acquisition of knowledge about cell walls, with the potential to drive advances in sustainable agriculture, bioenergy, and materials science. This multidisciplinary collaboration aims to overcome current research barriers and strengthen the competitiveness of European science.
EVIM-NET will bridge Evolutionary Biology and Immunology
Assoc. Prof. Michal Vinkler, Department of Zoology
The aim of the EVIM-NET project is to connect European researchers in evolutionary biology, immunology, and veterinary sciences. Together, they will build a network to enhance understanding of evolution of immune mechanisms in both domestic. The project will focus on standardising methodologies, developing tools for immunophenotyping, and training early-career scientists in predicting immune function from genomic data. The outcome will be a strong interdisciplinary community equipped to respond effectively to challenges related to evolution of infectious diseases in medicine and biodiversity conservation.
The COST Programme (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) supports international research collaboration with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinarity and the involvement of early-career researchers and innovators. COST Actions are international networks of researchers and private sector representatives focused on specific scientific topics.
Learn more about the COST Programme on the faculty website