Masarykova univerzita

Their core work

Masaryk University is a major Czech research university based in Brno with deep strengths in structural biology, bioinformatics, and life science data infrastructure. They operate core facilities in NMR, electron microscopy, and proteomics that serve European research networks, while their informatics teams build and maintain tools for biological data management under the ELIXIR and EOSC frameworks. Beyond life sciences, they maintain active research programs in environmental health (endocrine disruptors, urban exposome), medical genomics (microRNA biomarkers, cancer), and social sciences — making them a genuinely multidisciplinary institution with strong infrastructure backing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), Masaryk University focused heavily on structural biology infrastructure (iNEXT, BISON, West-Life), plasmonics/biosensing (TWINFUSYON), and the first wave of EOSC/FAIR data projects, alongside foundational cancer and genomics work. By 2019–2022, the emphasis shifted noticeably toward environmental epidemiology (urban exposome, endocrine disruptors, adverse outcome pathways), computational modelling, and research governance — while bioinformatics and EOSC work continued but matured into sustainability and governance phases. The university also deepened its translational research profile, moving from basic structural biology toward applied biomarker discovery and risk assessment frameworks.

Masaryk University is pivoting from pure life science infrastructure toward applied environmental health research and research ecosystem governance — expect growing interest in exposome science, regulatory toxicology, and EOSC sustainability.

How they like to work

With 34 projects as coordinator (27% of portfolio) and 73 as participant, Masaryk University is comfortable leading but more often contributes as a strong partner in large consortia. Their 1,396 unique partners across 63 countries signal a hub-type institution — they connect widely rather than returning to the same small group. The heavy use of CSA and MSCA schemes (33 projects combined) indicates they frequently serve as network builders and training hosts, not just technical contributors.

With 1,396 unique consortium partners spanning 63 countries, Masaryk University operates one of the broadest collaboration networks among Czech institutions. Their reach extends well beyond Central Europe, with strong ties across Western Europe and significant engagement in global MSCA mobility networks.

What sets them apart

Masaryk University sits at a rare intersection: they combine world-class structural biology and bioinformatics infrastructure with growing environmental health expertise and strong EOSC/FAIR data management credentials. For consortium builders, this means a single partner that can handle both wet-lab biological analysis and the data infrastructure to make results open and FAIR-compliant. As a Czech institution with Widening Participation experience (7 projects), they also strengthen geographic diversity in proposals while delivering genuine research capacity — not just a flag on the map.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DECOR
  Largest single grant (EUR 1.8M) as coordinator — an ERC Consolidator Grant on RNA polymerase dynamics, signaling top-tier individual research excellence.
• JUDI-ARCH
  EUR 1.5M ERC grant on judicial self-government — demonstrates the university's reach beyond life sciences into high-impact social science and legal research.
• BISON
  Coordinated a bridging project connecting structural biology with biological synthesis and self-assembly — exemplifies their ability to integrate across biological disciplines.