Networking for excellence in advanced development of antibacterials

News

SPRINGBOARD Newsletter #3 is out

Find project news and summary of whole in the new SPRINGBOARD Newsletter.

Read: SPRINGBOARD Newsletter No3, May 2024

SPRINGBOARD Final Conference Celebrates Success in Strengthening Antibacterial Drug Discovery and Collaborative Research

The conference, titled "Achievements of the SPRINGBOARD Project," from May 02-03, 2024 in Riga brought together experts and project partners to discuss the latest innovations in antibacterial drug discovery and outline future directions for collaborative research.

07/05/2024

SPRINGBOARD Provided Opportunities for Students on Job Shadow Day 2024

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.

Save the Date: Final Conference Showcasing the Achievements of the SPRINGBOARD Project

The project is coming to an end, and as a way to reflect on its accomplishments and explore new perspectives in antibacterial compound discovery, we are organizing the final conference. From May 2 to 3, 2024, the Final Conference 'Achievements of the SPRINGBOARD project' will take place.

Location: Avalon hotel & Conferences, 13. janvāra iela 19, Riga, Latvia

Agenda and Registration: springboard.osi.lv/abstract-registration

Abstract registration: springboard.osi.lv/abstract-registration

02/04/2024

SPRINGBOARD Project Offered Seminar for Scientists on Artificial Intelligence

On March 20, 2024, the SPRINGBOARD project at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis hosted a seminar on the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Led by Prof. Guntis Bārzdiņš from the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at the University of Latvia, the seminar provided invaluable insights into the intersection of AI and scientific research. Attendees gained valuable knowledge about the applications of AI in various scientific fields.

21/03/2024

SPRINGBOARD project at the 'Career Day 2024' exhibition in Riga

On Friday, March 8, 2024 SPRINGBOARD coordinator Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis showcased the project, inspiring students to pursue careers in science and at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. The exhibition 'Career Day' serves as a platform for top companies to inform students about internships and job opportunities in engineering, natural, and social sciences.

11/03/2024

SPRINGBOARD at School

On March 6, 2024 the SPRINGBOARD project coordinator, Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, participated in the Career days at Riga 25th Secondary School. During the event, he engaged with 9th and 10th-grade students, presenting and discussing the pathway to becoming a chemist. Additionally, Prof. Žalubovskis elaborated on the work of chemists in the discovery of new drugs, including the exploration of new antibacterial agents.

11/03/2024

The LIOS Team's Visit to the European Research Executive Agency

On February 29, Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, Dr. Aiva Plotniece, and Dr. Arkadijs Sobolevs visited the European Research Executive Agency in Brussels. They met with SPRINGBOARD project officer Agne Dobranskyte-Niskota to discuss the current status and upcoming events as the project enters its final phase.

04/03/2024

Empowering science communication: SPRINGBOARD Project's Masterclass for researchers

Masterclass for Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) scientists on the effective communication with the public will be held on November 27, 2023 in the LIOS.

06/11/2023

SPRINGBOARD at European Researchers’ Night 2023

On September 29, 2023, Prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the SPRINGBOARD project coordinator, delivered a lecture on the fight against bad bacteria at the European Researchers’ Night. This annual event, promoted by the European Commission, brings researchers and science closer to the public and stimulates interest in a researcher's career.

02/10/2023

SPRINGBOARD project empowers early-stage researchers to enhance knowledge in the development of antibacterials

The scientific seminar organized under the SPRINGBOARD project occurred on August 23, 2023. The event focused on topics closely aligned with the latest advancements in the field of antibacterial drug discovery.

Seminar attracted an audience of over 35 participants who attended lectures delivered by experts, representatives of partner institutions, and members of the Advisory Board.

01/09/2023

Annual Project Meeting and Advisory Board Session

On August 23rd, the Annual Project Meeting and Advisory Board Session were held in Riga.

The annual project meeting brought together SPRINGBOARD team to reflect on the milestones achieved, address challenges, and chart a course towards project completion. The Advisory Board session provided a platform for external experts to offer invaluable perspectives and guidance, enriching our project with diverse insights.

In the final year of the project, we will organize new secondments and events for the scientific community, prepare project proposals, and publish scientific articles.

24/08/2023

Upcoming SPRINGBOARD Project Meetings

From August 23rd to 25th, a series of SPRINGBOARD project events will take place in Riga, Latvia.

August 23: The annual meeting of the SPRINGBOARD Management Committee.

August 24: A Scientific Seminar centered around the SPRINGBOARD project topics.

August 25: Members of the Management Committee and participating lecturers will have the opportunity to attend the scientific seminar and visit the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis.

15/08/2023

SPRINGBOARD Newsletter #2 is out

Find project news and summary of two project years in the second SPRINGBOARD Newsletter.

Read: SPRINGBOARD Newsletter No2, March 2023

20/03/2023

Project output - the review article is out!

The review article on the most novel and promising strategies to fight pathogenic bacteria is published in the Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry (IF=5.756). These approaches cover all our project topics - biofilms, metalloenzymes, biopharmaceuticals and natural products.

Selected strategies to fight pathogenic bacteria. Aiva Plotniece, Arkadij Sobolev, Claudiu T. Supuran, Fabrizio Carta,Fredrik Björkling, Henrik Franzyk, Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma, Koen Augustyns, Paul Cos, Linda De Vooght ,Matthias Govaerts, Juliana Aizawa,Päivi Tammela, Raivis Žalubovskis. J. Enzyme Inhib. Med. Chem. 2023, 38 (1), 2155816.
DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2155816

11/01/2023

Raivis Zalubovskis presented the SPRINGBOARD project to the scientific community in Latvia

On October 20, 2022, in his lecture 'Is it easy to discover new drugs?' prof. Raivis Zalubovskis introduced the scientists from the Division of Chemical, Biological and Medical Sciences, Latvian Academy of Sciences with the SPRINGBOARD project.

On November 24, 2022, the members of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) elected new Corresponding and Full members of the Academy. Prof. Raivis Zalubovskis was elected as the Corresponding member of the LAS. Congratulations!

25/11/2022

Project output - new publication on promising class of anhydrase inhibitors

Read the first SPRINGBOARD publication in the Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry (IF=5.756).

4-Cyanamidobenzenesulfonamide derivatives: a novel class of human and bacterial carbonic anhydrase inhibitors by Morteza Abdoli, Alessandro Bonardi, Claudiu T. Supuran and Raivis Žalubovskis. J. Enzyme Inhib. Med. Chem. 2022.

DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2138367

2/11/2022

SPRINGBOARD at European Researchers’ Night 2022

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.

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.

Participation in the Job Shadow Day 2022

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.

SPRINGBOARD Newsletter is released

About all project activities so far read in the first SPRINGBOARD Newsletter.

Read: SPRINGBOARD Newsletter No1, February 2022

First meeting with project partners

We are thrilled about meeting with our project partners - professors Fredrik Björkling (University of Copenhagen) and Paul Cos (University of Antwerp). It is the first face to face meeting since the beginning of the SPRINGBOARD project in 2020.

The Research secondment programme is launched

After Covid restrictions, we are excited to start our research secondment programme. The first secondment to University of Copenhagen has been implemented by prof. Raivis Žalubovskis.

The training seminar on the trends in the discovery of antibiotics

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.

Virtual training seminar “Discovery of antibiotics”

15th September, 2021. The virtual training seminar “Discovery of antibiotics” will be held on the spot in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and via GoToMeeting. Registration will be open until 8th September 2021.

Management Committee Meeting

14th September 2021. The SPRINGBOARD Management Committee Meeting will take place in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and online via GoToMeeting.

The training seminar improves early-stage researchers’ soft skills

Within the SPRINGBOARD project on May 11-12, 2021 the Transferable Skills training seminar for early-stage researchers was organized. The training focused on science communication, the general aspects of intellectual property rights and the development of skills necessary for the preparation of competitive proposals for the Horizon Europe program.

SPRINGBOARD at European Researchers’ Night

On April 30, 2021 prof. Raivis Žalubovskis, the project's SPRINGBOARD coordinator gave a lecture 'Fight against bad bacteria' at the European Researchers’ Night . This is an annual event promoted by the European Commission to bring researchers and science closer to the public and stimulate interest in the researcher career.

Training Seminar on Transferable Skills

On May 11-12, 2021 the virtual training seminar for early stage researchers will be held. The agenda of the training is elaborated in the close collaboration with University of Antwerp. The training is be focused on the general aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the development of skills necessary for the preparation of competitive proposals for Horizon Europe programme.

Scientific seminar “Topicalities in antibacterial drug design”

29 September 2020. The seminar will be held in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and via GoToMeeting. Registration will be open until 23 September 2020

SPRINGBOARD kick-off meeting

The kick-off meeting of SPRINGBOARD will take place on 28 September 2020. The meeting will be held in Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and via GoToMeeting.