European Networking for Brain Research: PANERIS at the 17th PTBUN Congress
Wrocław, 2 September 2025 – The Satellite Symposium “European Networking for Brain Research”, held during the 17th International Congress of the Polish Neuroscience Society (PTBUN), showcased two European Commission–funded projects under the Horizon Europe Programme:
- SAME-NeuroID – Standardized Approaches to Modeling and Examination of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, coordinated by Łukasiewicz – PORT (Poland), in collaboration with the Paris Brain Institute (France), the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich (Germany), and Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- PANERIS – Pan-European Network for Neuroscience Research Infrastructure and Strengthening of Support Capacities, led by the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University (Lithuania)
PANERIS: Strengthening European Collaboration in Neuroscience
The PANERIS project aims to enhance research and innovation capacities in neuroscience within Widening Countries. PANERIS serves as a coordination and support platform, reinforcing the internationalisation and competitiveness of neuroscience research in Lithuania (Vilnius University Life Sciences Center), Poland (Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences), and Portugal (Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine). Through partnership with the Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona – Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) in Spain, PANERIS strengthens R&I infrastructure, fosters collaboration, and supports capacity building to achieve excellence in European neuroscience.
Key Speakers and Highlights
The PANERIS part of the Symposium featured presentations from:
- Jan Rodriguez Parkitna – Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
- Osvaldas Rukšėnas – Life Science Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
- Toni Andreu – EATRIS, The Netherlands
The speakers highlighted the potential of PANERIS partners, the value of collaboration, and the importance of matchmaking in research.
Toni Andreu presented the EATRIS infrastructure — the European infrastructure for translational medicine — emphasizing how shared resources can accelerate the translation of discoveries into tangible benefits for science and society.
Discussion Panel: European Brain Research Initiatives
The panel, titled “Access of Poland to European Networks and Infrastructure”, was moderated by Monika Ślęzak (Łukasiewicz – PORT, Wrocław, Poland) and gathered representatives of EATRIS, eBRAINS, NCP, and the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Panel guests included:
- Izabela Najda-Jędrzejewska, Deputy Director, Department of Innovation and Development, Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW)
- Maria Śmietanka, Deputy Director, National Contact Point in The National Centre for Research and Development (KPK NCBR)
- Toni Andreu, Scientific Director, EATRIS
- Cezary Mazurek, Director, Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (eBRAINS Poland Node Leader)
- Jacek Jaworski, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw
- Leonora Bużańska, Director, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences
The discussion explored how Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries can strengthen their participation in European Research Infrastructures (RIs). Panelists examined barriers such as financial, administrative, and organizational constraints and proposed strategies for effective integration into European neuroscience networks.
Building a Stronger European Research Community
The event underscored the importance of dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and European research infrastructure representatives. By aligning national priorities with the needs of the research community, such initiatives pave the way for stronger, more inclusive European collaboration in neuroscience and medical technologies.
The PANERIS consortium extends its sincere thanks to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. The exchange of perspectives and expertise during the symposium will help shape future collaborative efforts and policy directions aimed at strengthening Europe’s position in neuroscience research.
Acknowledgments
The Satellite Symposium “European Networking for Brain Research”, held during the 17th International Congress of the Polish Neuroscience Society (PTBUN) was organized by the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, as part of the PANERIS project.
The opinions and views expressed are solely those of their author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the REA can be held responsible for them.
