The HCEMM research project focuses on translational medicine, i.e. the promotion of the clinical application of basic research results and the assurance of scientific excellence based on an international evaluation system. “Thanks to the collaboration between the government and partner institutions, the institutional budget of the HCEMM will be close to EUR 55 million by 2024. The HCEMM was one of the eleven winning proposals out of 169 submitted, and was awarded the highest grant of EUR 15 million. With the two new research groups that have just joined, we employ nearly 100 internationally renowned researchers,” emphasised Dr Christoph W. Sensen, Director General of the Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine.

Two new members have now joined the ever-expanding research community:

• Csaba Bödör received his PhD degree from Semmelweis University in 2008. He is a molecular biologist specialising in genetic research on tumours of the haematological system. He has considerable international experience, gained mainly as a postdoctoral fellow of the European Society of Haematology in London. After his return home, he set up the Molecular Oncohematology Research Group at the 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research at Semmelweis University with the support of the Lendület Programme of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and joined the HCEMM scientific community as a senior translational research group leader starting this year. The HCEMM-SE Molecular Oncohematology research group focuses on the genetic background of different haematopoietic malignancies. The research team is working to identify molecular differences that influence or predict patient response to different treatments. The aim of the research is to develop state-of-the-art procedures that can be applied in everyday diagnostics and patient care, and that can facilitate personalised treatment and follow-up of affected patients.
• Nikolett Wohner is an assistant professor at the Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, and a research associate at the Department of Biochemistry. Within field of internal medicine, she specialises in haematology, the study of blood-related diseases originating in the bone marrow and various blood-clotting disorders. In her postdoctoral work, she studied the mechanisms of haemophilia-related diseases, and her findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic options. Winner of the 2017 L'Oréal-UNESCO “Women in Science” Award for her scientific publications and research achievements. She gained international experience in Paris, where she was awarded a 5-year grant from the junior category of HCEMM project, opening up the opportunity to set up her own laboratory and research group. The HCEMM project investigates the molecular basis of the coagulation system, the background of blood clot formation and haemophilia-related diseases, an area of major international interest. Around 10 million people worldwide are affected by blood clot-forming diseases and their complications every year, most of which could be prevented. Both the laboratory and the research are implemented within the walls of Semmelweis University.

“The National Laboratories are domestic hubs of expertise in specific subject areas, seeking international responses to major global problems, while also benefiting directly from the research results. HCEMM fully satisfies these expectations, and as a National Laboratory it can become a regional scientific centre for cutting-edge molecular medicine in the future”, emphasised Dr. István Szabó, Vice President of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office.

The HCEMM project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.