An international group of researchers centres at the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Poland have produce a super-stable artificial protein ball that apparently defies the rules of geometry and which may have applications in materials science and medicine.

Following a detailed analysis of the National Science Centre’s current call portfolio, the NCN Council decided to expand the formula of the OPUS call to include elements of the HARMONIA call. Applicants will still be able to receive funding for research projects conducted without any international partners, but also for those that do involve such cooperation.

Polish and German research funding and research performing agencies plan to intensify cooperation to support scientific excellence in both countries. They met in Kraków at the end of February and discussed existing mechanisms as well as ways to improve the regional research landscape.