FYZIOLOGICKY USTAV AKADEMIE VED CESKE REPUBLIKY VEREJNA VYZKUMNA INSTITUCE (VVI)

Their core work

The Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a biomedical research institute in Prague focused on understanding the biological mechanisms behind human diseases — particularly cancer, brain disorders, and metabolic conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. They train doctoral researchers through international mobility programmes and contribute to building European paediatric research infrastructure. More recently, they have moved into applied biomedical engineering, coordinating research on piezoelectric nanogenerators for wound healing applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2015–2018) was rooted in fundamental biomedical research and doctoral training — understanding disease mechanisms in cancer, brain disorders, and metabolic conditions through large training networks. From 2018 onward, their focus shifted toward translational and applied work: paediatric drug development infrastructure and, notably, coordinating a project on piezoelectric nanogenerators for wound healing. This signals a clear move from basic science toward biomedical applications with commercial potential.

They are transitioning from a pure basic-science institute toward applied biomedical technologies, suggesting growing interest in device-based therapies and translational partnerships.

How they like to work

With only one coordinated project (ELECTROSKIN), they primarily operate as a contributing partner in larger consortia — but their coordination of ELECTROSKIN shows growing ambition to lead. Despite just 4 projects, they have worked with 64 unique partners across 25 countries, indicating they plug into broad European networks rather than sticking to a small circle. This makes them an accessible and well-connected partner for new consortia.

Remarkably broad network for their project count: 64 unique consortium partners across 25 countries, largely built through participation in large MSCA training networks and infrastructure projects. Their reach spans most of the EU, with no obvious geographic concentration.

What sets them apart

They combine deep expertise in disease physiology (liver, brain, cancer) with an emerging capability in biomedical nanotechnology — specifically piezoelectric materials for therapeutic applications. This is an unusual combination for an Academy of Sciences institute, bridging fundamental biology and materials-based medical devices. For consortium builders, they offer strong physiological testing and disease modeling capabilities alongside a growing applied engineering dimension.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ELECTROSKIN
  Their only coordinated project, representing a strategic pivot into piezoelectric nanogenerators for wound healing — a topic far from their traditional disease biology roots.
• Foie Gras
  Their largest funded project (EUR 232,422), investigating bioenergetic remodeling in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease — a condition with major pharmaceutical market interest.
• ID-EPTRI
  Contributed to designing a pan-European paediatric research infrastructure, demonstrating their role in shaping translational research capacity for child health.