SPRINGBOARD project leader prof. Raivis Žalubovskis welcomed three motivated and talented students and spent all day with them to give them an insight into his work. On the 4th of April 2024, Job Shadow Day took place in Latvia. The SPRINGBOARD project coordinator prof. Raivis Žalubovskis welcomed 3 students from Riga to popularize the researcher's profession and to introduce them to the work of the project coordinator. The Job Shadow Day gives students an opportunity to think about what education and skills are necessary to become a researcher and helps to understand the world of work and professional practices. Also, it is a possibility to get to know the profession more closely and see the difference between what they learn in school and the knowledge needed for a job.

On September 30, 2022 prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the our project coordinator gave a lecture at the European Researchers’ Night. This annual event promoted by the European Commission brings researchers and science closer to the public and stimulate interest in the researcher career. To bring researchers and science closer to the public and promote interest in researcher career, especially among young people, the European Researchers’ Night takes place every year on the last Friday of September. After the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in 2020 and 2021, the European Researchers’ Night in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis this year was a face-to-face event. More than 1000 participants took the opportunity to visit the institute and attend events. Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the project's SPRINGBOARD coordinator gave a lecture on the fight against illnesses causing bacteria. In his speech, Ravis Žalubovskis introduced participants to the problem and scope of bacterial resistance and presented the SPRINGBOARD project. The lecture was repeated 3 times to reach everyone interested in the topic. The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005, and it involves thousands of researchers and research institutions in all European countries.

The SPRINGBOARD summer school brings together both young and experienced scientists The summer school - training seminar to improve early-stage researchers’ knowledge in the field of antimicrobials and practical experience in presenting skills was organized by the SPRINGBOARD project on August 23-25, 2022. The summer school was devoted to the major milestones in the design and development of novel antimicrobials. The event took place near Riga in Apsuciems, to promote communication among participants, early-stage researchers and lecturers - experienced scientists. More than 35 participants attended daily lectures presented by experts in their fields. For early-stage researchers, practical training for the development of presenting skills was also organized. All the participants enjoyed the face-to-face meeting. Among the participants, more than 65% were early-stage researchers - from the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), local universities and partner institutions. The Summer school was opened with an introductory speech by project coordinator Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis. He gave a short introduction about the project topic, its activities and planned events. During the Summer School activities, the lectures were presented by field experts from the partner institutions, collaboration organizations and the representatives of the project Advisory Board. Prof. Anabela Cordeiro da Silva (University of Porto) drew attention to how to see immunomodulation in the context of the One Health drug discovery. Prof. Björn Windshügel (Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology) introduced the listeners to efflux pump inhibitors and virtual screening. Prof. Päivi Tammela (University of Helsinki) presented the case studies on HTS for novel antibacterials. Prof. Jean-Yves Winum (University of Montpellier) gave inside regarding studies of boron-containing inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases. Prof. Lucija Peterlin Mašič (University of Ljubljana) highlighted the importance of toxicology during drug development and ADME in early drug discovery Prof. Paul Cos (University of Antwerp) introduced the listeners to the challenges of in vivo translation Dr. Jānis Liepiņš (University of Latvia) presented a topic concerning Eukaryotic antimicrobials, their properties and their advantages. Prof. Fabrizio Carta (University of Florence) presented topics concerning metalloenzymes as antibacterial drug targets Prof. Henrik Franzyk (University of Copenhagen) gave a lecture on peptidomimetics and modified AMPs Prof. Mataleena Parikka and Dr. Milka Marjut Hammarén (University of Tampere) presented a topic on antibiotic tolerance targeting treatments against tuberculosis A part of the second day program was dedicated to training in the presenting skills for young scientists. The training was moderated by the expert Ina Balamovska, world-class speaking and media training instructor. In the training the following topics were included: Themes: - Effective and convincing public communication; - How to prepare a message; - How to make a contact with listeners; - Persuasive body language and voice; - How to answer questions and objections; - Stress management techniques. The last day program included also short presentations of early stage researchers also participating in the event. PhD students - Matthias Govaerts (University of Antwerp), Vitalii Solomin (LIOS), Konstantinos Grammatoglou (LIOS), MSc student Ernests Tomass Auziņš (University of Latvia) and post-doc Dr. Anna Ņikitjuka (LIOS) introduced the audience with their scientific topics and the results.

SPRINGBOARD project leader prof. Raivis Žalubovskis welcomed three motivated and talented students and spent all day with them to give them an insight into his work. On the 6th of April 2022, Job Shadow Day took place in Latvia. The SPRINGBOARD project coordinator prof. Raivis Žalubovskis welcomed 3 students from Riga and Jelgava to popularize the researcher's profession and to introduce them to the work of the project coordinator. The Job Shadow Day gives students an opportunity to think about what education and skills are necessary to become a researcher and helps to understand the world of work and professional practices. Also, it is a possibility to get to know the profession more closely and see the difference between what they learn in school and the knowledge needed for a job.

Within the SPRINGBOARD project on September 15, 2021, the Virtual training seminar “Discovery of antibiotics” for early-stage researchers was organized. The training seminar focused on information regarding the current state in the field of the discovery of antibiotics. Due to the current pandemic situation, the training seminar took place in the hybrid mode, partially face-to-face, partially online. More than 30 participants attended lectures presented by experts in their fields. Among participants, more than 50% were early-stage researchers. The topics of the Virtual training seminar were presented by the lecturers of the experts in their fields. Prof. Paul Cos (introduced the strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Prof. Claudiu T. Supuran drew special attention to the advanced aspects of antibacterial research – new target identification. Prof. Fredrik Björkling presented the current state of antimicrobial peptide research including antisense antibiotics. After analysis of feedback survey, more than 94% of respondents were completely satisfied or satisfied with the seminar, more than 55% of respondents in future to prefer face-to-face as the form for seminars.

On May 11-12, 2021 the Transferable skills virtual training seminar will be organized by Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), the coordinator of SPRINGBOARD project (Springboard for excellence in advanced development of antibacterials, ID 951883). The agenda of the training has been elaborated in close collaboration with University of Antwerp. The training is focussed on the general aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the development of skills necessary for the preparation of competitive proposals for Horizon Europe programme. Early stage researchers are the target audience of this event. As of September 2020 the LIOS has started the implementation of a 3 year project SPRINGBOARD. The main goal of the SPRINGBOARD project is to strengthen the research potential of LIOS in the field of advanced discovery and design of novel antibacterial drugs through establishing a sustainable and long-term collaboration with leading counterparts – University of Antwerp, University of Copenhagen, University of Florence and University of Helsinki. Scientists from LIOS, especially early-stage researchers will have opportunities to study new approaches and methodologies used in discovering of new antibacterial agents, participate in staff exchanges, attend conferences, participate in specialized training that increase the competence of LIOS staff, including the acquisition of tranferable skills necessary for the implementation of research results. The obtained knowledge and skills will contribute to the sustainability of LIOS also beyond the SPRINGBOARD project by promoting the long term networking and participation in Horizon Europe programme calls. SPRINGBOARD is funded by the European Union Research and Innovation programme Horizon 2020 under the Twinning call Spreading excellence and widening participation. For more information visit the SPRINGBOARD project website https://springboard.osi.lv

To bring researchers and science closer to the public and stimulate interest in researcher career, especially among young people, the European Researchers’ Night takes place every year. Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease,the event of the European Researchers’ Night 2020 in Latvia took place on April 30th, 2021 in a 100% virtual format. The topic of this year was 'Diversity of Science for Future'. Researchers at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis gave numerous short lectures about drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and the topic of relevance - COVID-19. Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the project's SPRINGBOARD coordinator gave a lecture 'Fight against bad bacteria'. In his lecture, Ravis Žalubovskis introduced participants to the problem and scope of bacterial resistance as well as presented the SPRINGBOARD project and its four scientific approaches to tackle it. After the lecture, Raivis Žalubovskis said: “It was a challenge for me to talk about scientific topics in a very simple way. I tried my best to bring the idea to each participant no matter if it is a pupil or student.” The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005 and it involves thousands of researchers and research institutions in all European countries.

29th September 2020
9:45 Registration
10:00 Opening by project coordinator Prof. R. Žalubovskis
10:10 Achievements of LIOS in the field of antibacterials by vice-director of LIOS Prof. Aigars Jirgensons
10:30 Current landscape in the discovery of novel antibacterial agents by Prof. Jerry Wells
11:20 Strategies to tackle biofilm – related infections by Prof. Paul Cos
12:10 Lunch
13:00 General overview on drug-targets in a search for new antibiotics by Prof. Jean-Yves Winum
13:50 From natural products to effective antibiotics by Prof. Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma or Dr. Päivi Tammela
14:40 Coffee break
15:00 Metalloenzymes as a drug target for antibacterial agents by Prof. Fabrizio Carta
15:50 Antisense and peptide antibiotics by Prof. Fredrik Björkling
16:40 Closing remarks
17:00 Tour at LIOS

As of September 2020, the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) has started the implementation of a 3 year project Springboard for excellence in advanced development of antibacterials (SPRINGBOARD). SPRINGBOARD is funded by the European Union Research and Innovation programme Horizon 2020 under the Twinning call Spreading excellence and widening participation. The main goal of the SPRINGBOARD project is to strengthen the research potential of LIOS in the field of advanced discovery and design of novel antibacterial drugs through establishing a sustainable and long-term collaboration with leading counterparts – University of Antwerp, University of Copenhagen, University of Florence and University of Helsinki. The coordinator of this project is Professor Raivis Žalubovskis from LIOS. Scientists from LIOS, especially early-stage researchers will have opportunities to study new approaches and methodologies in discovering new antibacterial agents, participate in staff exchanges, attend conferences, participate in specialized training that supports excellence in science and build capacity for the participation in competitive joint project proposals. SPRINGBOARD dissemination and outreach activities will contribute to actual socio-economic challenges in connection with widespread infectious diseases and to increase the public awareness for the necessity to develop new antibacterial drugs for combating antimicrobial resistance. The virtual kick-off meeting of SPRINGBOARD was held on 28th of September, during which the partners discussed the implementation of the various actions planned under the project. On 29th of September in a semi virtual Topicalities in antibacterial drug design seminar, outstanding professors from universities of Antwerp, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Florence, Montpellier and Wageningen provided a comprehensive overview on the current landscape in the discovery of novel antibacterials.

On September 30, 2022 prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the our project coordinator gave a lecture at the European Researchers’ Night. This annual event promoted by the European Commission brings researchers and science closer to the public and stimulate interest in the researcher career. To bring researchers and science closer to the public and promote interest in researcher career, especially among young people, the European Researchers’ Night takes place every year on the last Friday of September. After the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in 2020 and 2021, the European Researchers’ Night in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis this year was a face-to-face event. More than 1000 participants took the opportunity to visit the institute and attend events. Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the project's SPRINGBOARD coordinator gave a lecture on the fight against illnesses causing bacteria. In his speech, Ravis Žalubovskis introduced participants to the problem and scope of bacterial resistance and presented the SPRINGBOARD project. The lecture was repeated 3 times to reach everyone interested in the topic. The European Researchers’ Night is an initiative promoted by the European Commission since 2005, and it involves thousands of researchers and research institutions in all European countries.