INSTYTUT GENETYKI CZLOWIEKA POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK

Their core work

The Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences is a research institute in Poznań focused on human genetics, with particular strength in hematologic malignancies and cancer genomics. Their core scientific work involves unravelling the epigenetic and genetic mechanisms underlying blood cancers (leukemias, lymphomas). They also engage in public science communication, participating in European Researchers' Night events with ecology and sustainability themes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their H2020 participation began in 2020 with public engagement activities (Researchers' Night events focused on ecology and environmental awareness). By 2021, their focus shifted decisively toward their core scientific mission — cancer genetics and hematology — through the NEXT_LEVEL project, which represents 98% of their total EU funding. This progression suggests the public engagement work was a stepping stone toward building capacity for larger research-driven projects.

Moving from outreach participant toward research leadership in blood cancer genetics, using Widening Participation funding to build international collaborations and close the excellence gap.

How they like to work

Mixed profile: they coordinated their flagship genetics project (NEXT_LEVEL) while joining as a minor participant in two Researchers' Night consortia. With only 10 unique partners across 4 countries, their network is still small and developing. The Widening Participation framing of NEXT_LEVEL suggests they are actively building international connections to strengthen their research capacity.

A compact network of 10 partners across 4 countries, reflecting an institute that is still in the early stages of building its European collaboration portfolio. Geographic reach is limited but intentionally expanding through staff exchange mechanisms.

What sets them apart

As a Polish Academy of Sciences institute focused specifically on human genetics, they bring deep domain expertise in hematologic malignancies combined with active capacity-building ambitions. Their Widening Participation funding signals they are an emerging center working to reach top-tier research standards — making them a motivated and committed partner for consortia that value building long-term collaborative relationships with Eastern European genetics labs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NEXT_LEVEL
  Their only coordinated project and by far the largest (EUR 429,775), focused on building research excellence in blood cancer epigenetics through international cooperation.
• SOSNIGHT
  Demonstrates their commitment to public engagement and environmental awareness, linking fundamental research institutes with societal communication about the European Green Deal.