Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally-leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA)
Aim
Description
Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, creating a challenge for researchers and clinicians to find evidence-based solutions for SAD diagnostics, treatment and prevention. Due to the complexity of autoimmune disease research, which requires multidisciplinary approaches, a problem is insufficient research capacity at low-performing EU Member State research institutions. Research capacity, able to deliver precise and early diagnostic is of high importance to move towards the development of methods for personalized medicine and better understanding of triggers and mechanisms in autoimmunity, leading to better understanding of chronic diseases and comorbidities and searching for therapy options. VirA project will optimally address the challenges and strengthen the ERA (European Research Area) in autoimmunity.
Project activities
The research strategy will be upgraded and aligned with leading research institutions from Italy, Germany and Israel through the following activities:
- Raising experience of the staff with short term exchanges;
- Bringing new knowledge to the institute from expert visits and short-term on-site or virtual training;
- Organization of training workshops and joint summer schools to increase the networking ability of staff and foster knowledge transfer, including technical approaches and molecular methods;
- Conference participation and attendance to help with project dissemination and gathering of new information and global knowledge exchange.
Project partners
- Rīga Stradiņš University, Latvia (coordinator)
- University of Ferrara, Italy
- Ulm University, Germany
- Medical Research Infrastructure Development and Health Services Fund by the Sheba Medical Center, Israel
News and events
- Press Release
Prepared press release here.
Information posted on 10.12.2020
- VirA kick-off meeting
On 17 December 2020, the Horizon 2020-funded project VirA held its kick-off meeting in online. Representatives from 4 countries – Latvia, Italy, Germany and Israel- gathered to inaugurate the project’s start.
The main goal is to create a research environment to stimulate researchers for generation of new research at high level and achievements in the study of autoimmune diseases. During the kick-off meeting, all project packages were presented and the first key milestones were discussed.
More about the project - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/952376Information posted on 18.12.2020
- 1st LATVIA - ISRAEL On-line Symposium of Autoimmunity
The 1st LATVIA - ISRAEL On-line Symposium of Autoimmunity will take place in Zoom platform on 16 March 2021, at 09:50.
The Symposium will be opened by Associate Professor Modra Murovska (RSU) and Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld (Sheba Medical Center).
During the Symposium researchers from Latvia and Israel will present their findings on topics related to autoimmunity, COVID-19, etc. and there also will be LIVE discussion in the discussion panel between the sessions.
Researchers and anyone interested in Autoimmunity are welcome to participate in the Symposium. All wishing to join can get connected through Zoom.
Please, send your letter of interest to Yuri Ostrinski Yuri[pnkts]Ostrinski
gmail[pnkts]com at your earliest convenience.Information posted on 01.03.2021
- Symposium Recording Available!
Following the big success of the 1ST Latvia-Israel symposium of Autoimmunity, please find enclosed the link to this recorded Symposium: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I771fLYhSGwYiEVzsvSO2ENDXp… . Feel free to watch and learn from it.
Information posted on 06.04.2021
- 12th International Congress on Autoimmunity
The 12th International Congress on Autoimmunity will take place between 28 May – 1 June 2021 with live online interaction
To learn more about the congress, you can head over to the https://autoimmunity.kenes.com/. webpage.
Information posted on 06.04.2021
Workshop IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC IN RHEUMATIC AND OTHER AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
An international workshop Importance of differential diagnostic in rheumatic and other autoimmune diseases will take place in Zoom platform on 29-30 September 2021, organised under the EU-H2020 project VirA, in cooperation with partners from Germany and Israel.
The presentations will be provided by world and European researchers recognized in the research of autoimmune diseases - Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld and Prof. Howard Amital from Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center in Israel, Prof. Marion Schneider from Ulma University in Germany, etc.
Researchers and all interested people are welcome to join the Zoom meeting:
https://rsu.zoom.us/j/95651658498?pwd=bERCS3NIUG1ueGZUajNOO…Working language: English
Please be informed that the workshop will be recorded and can be used to create publicity materials!
Information posted on 20.09.2021
- Workshop Recording Available!
Please find enclosed the link to this recorded workshop Importance of differential diagnostic in rheumatic and other autoimmune diseases:
29.09.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=fdf2883…
30.09.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=079fe86…
Feel free to watch and learn from it.
Information posted on 04.10.2021
- Workshop NEW TRENDS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IMMUNOLOGICAL PROFILING
An international workshop New trends in autoimmune diseases immunological profiling will take place in Zoom platform on 27-28 October 2021 at 10:00-17:00, organised under the EU-H2020 project VirA, in cooperation with partners from Germany, Italy and Israel.
The presentations will be provided by world and European researchers recognized in the research of autoimmune diseases - Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld, Prof. Howard Amital and Dr. Gilad Halpert from Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center in Israel, Prof. Marion Schneider from Ulma University in Germany, Prof. Roberta Rizzo from University of Ferrara in Italy etc.
Researchers and all interested people are welcome to join the Zoom meeting:
https://rsu.zoom.us/j/87081333795?pwd=QjVCa24vVm0yRHVOOGdiN…Working language: English
Please be informed that the workshop will be recorded and can be used to create publicity materials!
Information posted on 19.10.2021
- Workshop Recording Available!
Please find enclosed the link to this recorded workshop New trends in autoimmune diseases immunological profiling:
27.10.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=c0f9da2…
28.10.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8f6f71b…
Feel free to watch and learn from it.
Information posted on 29.10.2021
- Workshop VIRAL INFECTIONS AS AETIOLOGICAL OR TRIGGER FACTORS OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
An international workshop Viral infections as aetiological or trigger factors of autoimmune diseases will take place in Zoom platform on 9-10 November 2021 at 10:00-16:00, organised under the EU-H2020 project VirA, in cooperation with partners from Germany, Italy and Israel.
The presentations will be provided by world and European researchers recognized in the research of autoimmune diseases - Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld, from Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center in Israel, Prof. Marion Schneider from Ulma University in Germany, Prof. Dario Di Luca, Prof. Valentina Gentili and Prof. Roberta Rizzo from University of Ferrara in Italy etc.
Researchers and all interested people are welcome to join the Zoom meeting:
https://rsu.zoom.us/j/81968833238?pwd=Y0lZQ2NLVDd4T3pZS1NLb…Working language: English
Please be informed that the workshop will be recorded and can be used to create publicity materials!
Information posted on 02.11.2021
- Workshop Recording Available!
Please find enclosed the link to this recorded workshop Viral infections as aetiological or trigger factors of autoimmune diseases:
09.11.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2a4e30e…
10.11.2021 - https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=1fe32d4…
Feel free to watch and learn from it.
Information posted on 11.11.2021
- Press Release
Press Release: https://www.rsu.lv/en/news/rsu-implements-international-res…
Information posted on 20.12.2021
- 13th International Congress on Autoimmunity
The 13th International Congress on Autoimmunity will take place in Athens, Greece on 10 – 13 June, 2022.
To learn more about the congress, you can head over to the https://autoimmunity.kenes.com/ webpage.
Information posted on 03.01.2022
- Seminar ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC MANUSCRIPTS PREPARATION QUALITY
RSU is organising a seminar Enhancement of scientific manuscripts preparation quality within the framework of the project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA) that is supported by the EC Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The seminar will take place on 28 March 2022, from 8:30 to 16:00 in the Hippocrates Lecture Theatre and will be led by Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld (Sheba Medical Centre, Israel).
The programme of the seminar covers various stages of preparation of a scientific article, from choosing the most suitable title, writing a summary and introduction to the preparation of a list of references. An analysis of specific scientific publications will be carried out, as well as time for questions and discussions will be provided.
All the interested parties are welcome to participate.
Due to the limited number of places on site, participation is organised in two ways:
– in person, in the Hippocrates Lecture Theatre, for the first 50 registered participants;
– remotely via Zoom.Registration form is available here. Please indicate the desired form of participation. Registration deadline: 24 March. The link for remote participation will be sent on 25 March.According to the epidemiological safety measures set by the Republic of Latvia, on-site participation is possible only for persons with a valid COVID-19 certificate. During the event, a medical face mask or respirator without a valve with a safety level FFP2 – FFP3 or KN95 must be used.Information posted on 15.03.2022.
- Seminar Recording Available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recording of the seminar Enhancement of scientific manuscripts preparation quality held on 28 March 2022:
https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=db1f10ee-71fb-4082-a572-ae6800857f64
Information posted on 01.04.2022.
- Summer School NEW TRENDS IN MOLECULAR AND IMMUNOLOGICAL DETECTION METHODOLOGY OF PERSISTENT VIRAL INFECTIONS
Within the framework of the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA), Rīga Stradiņš University is organising a Summer School New trends in molecular and immunological detection methodology of persistent viral infections from 11 to 15 July 2022.
During the five days of the event, lectures by renowned international scientists and practical sessions in the laboratories will take place.
Anyone will be able to join remotely the lectures held on 11, 12 and 15 July, but only the researchers involved in the project will be able to participate in the practical sessions.
The working language of the Summer School will be English.
The lectures will be given by representatives of the project co-operation partners, world-renowned and distinguished scientists: Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld from Sheba Medical Centre in Israel, Professor Marion Schneider from Ulm University in Germany, Professor Dario Di Luca and Professor Roberta Rizzo from the University of Ferrara in Italy and others.
To register for remote participation in lectures, please complete the registration form by 7 July, available here. The lectures will be held on the Zoom platform. The access link will be sent to the email address by registered participants provided in the form.Information posted on 09.06.2022.
- Workshop NEW TRENDS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IMMUNOLOGICAL PROFILING: PART II
Within the framework of the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA), Rīga Stradiņš University is organising the workshop New trends in autoimmune diseases immunological profiling: Part II on 16 & 17 July 2022.
On Saturday, 16 July, there will be lectures in the RSU Institute of Microbiology and Virology led by scientists recognized in the research of autoimmune diseases – Professors Daria Bortolotti and Valentina Gentili from the University of Ferrara in Italy, Professor Marion Schneider from Ulm University in Germany, Professor Miri Blank and Doctor of Medicine Boris Gilburd from Sheba Medical Centre in Israel.
On the second day of the workshop, 17 July, practical sessions in the laboratories will be held. Only researchers involved in the project will be able to participate.
Remote participation in the lectures scheduled for 16 July is open to anyone interested.
Registration form is available here. Registration deadline: 7 July.The working language of the workshop will be English.
The lectures will be held on the Zoom platform.The first part of the workshop took place remotely on 27–28 October 2021.
The recording is available on the VirA project website.Information posted on 13.06.2022.
- Recordings of the Workshop are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the workshop New trends in autoimmune diseases immunological profiling: Part II held on 16–17 July 2022:
16.07.2022: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=3e5afb3…
17.07.2022.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8e58c7e…
Information posted on 25.07.2022.
- Recordings of the Summer School are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the summer school New trends in molecular and immunological detection methodology of persistent viral infections held on 11–15 July 2022:
11.07.2022.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=beb1994…
12.07.2022.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=9e9fc62…
15.07.2022.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b7f2fbf…
Information posted on 27.07.2022.
- Friday Mosaic of Autoimmunity International e-Meetings will be resumed
After the summer break on Friday, 2 September 2022 will be resumed Friday Mosaic of Autoimmunity International e-Meetings. This will be already the 107th meeting organized by Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld from the Sheba Medical Center in Israel.
You are able to join again to listen to concise 10-minute online lectures on the hottest topics related to Autoimmunity, discuss the ideas and build mutual collaborations.
The 107th meeting will be held on 2 September from 07:30 to 09:00 AM (GMT+3) via Zoom platform.
The link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4864470276?pwd=iKkZR9-YVezNq05syC…
Meeting ID: 486 447 0276
Password: 443844The recordings of all previous 106 meetings are available here.
Statistics about the meetings.
If you are interested to present your research or recent publication in one of the further meetings, please contact the autoimmunity projects coordinator of Sheba Medical Center Yuri Ostrinski (e-mail: Yuri[pnkts]Ostrinskigmail[pnkts]com). Information posted on 17.08.2022.
- Workshop MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE RESEARCH
Within the framework of the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA) the RSU Institute of Microbiology and Virology will be holding a workshop Morphological studies in autoimmune disease research on 13–14 October 2022.
The lecturers are leading researchers at the cooperation project partner institutions from Israel, Italy and Germany in the field of autoimmune disease research (Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld, Prof. Marion Schneider, Prof. Roberta Rizzo and others) as well as scientists from Latvia.
The working language of the workshop is English.
On-site participation is enabled only for the researchers involved in the project.
Remote participation in the lectures is open to anyone interested.
The registration form is available here. Registration deadline: 11 October.The access link on 12 October will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the registration form. The lectures will be held on the Zoom platform.
In case you have any questions, please contact Professor Valērija Groma (e-mail: Valerija[pnkts]Groma
rsu[pnkts]lv). Information posted on 30.09.2022.
- Recordings of the Workshop are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the workshop Morphological studies in autoimmune disease research held on 13–14 October 2022:
13.10.2022: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=bb5ee3e…
14.10.2022.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=0112cb0…
Information posted on 28.10.2022.
- Released an informative film about VirA project
We invite you to watch an informative film about the VirA project and to get acquainted with the participants, activities and goals of this project.
Information posted on 06.02.2023.
- Workshop BASIC ASPECTS OF BIOSTATISTICS, CLINICAL AND LABORATORY DATA MANAGEMENT
Rīga Stradiņš University will be holding a workshop Basic aspects of biostatistics, clinical and laboratory data management on 23–24 February 2023. The workshop is organised within the framework of the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally-leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA).
Representatives of the project's cooperation partner, Sheba Medical Center (Israel) will share their experience on the possibilities that big data analysis provides. Participants include Prof. Howard Amital, Prof. Abdula Watad and others from the center, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Latvian National Health Service, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga Technical University, the University of Latvia, and Rīga Stradiņš University. They will talk about the issues concerning clinical and laboratory data management.
The working language of the workshop will be English.
Researchers involved in the implementation of the project will be able to participate in person in the RSU Senate Hall.
Fill out the registration form by 22 February.
On 22 February, the access link will be sent to the e-mail address provided in the registration form and published on the RSU website next to the information on the workshop.
For enquiries please contact Prof. Angelika Krūmiņa: Angelika[pnkts]Krumina
rsu[pnkts]lv. Information posted on 08.02.2023.
- Press Release
Press release is available here: https://www.rsu.lv/en/news/rsu-implements-ambitious-international-project-cooperation-research-autoimmune-diseases-caused
Information posted on 22.02.2023.
- Recordings of the Workshop are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the workshop Basic aspects of biostatistics, clinical and laboratory data management held on 23–24 February 2023:
23.02.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=ddfb2c0c-81c5-4314-a6ff-afba008d72e6
24.02.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=214da323-99dd-443a-b673-afba008e9641
Information posted on 10.03.2023.
- Practical workshop on proposal preparation and project management
A practical workshop on proposal preparation and project management, led by PD Dr. rer. nat. habil. Daniel Mertens from Germany, will be held on 26–27 June.
The objective of the workshop is to improve the skills in proposal preparation and project management / administration, as well as introduce to artificial intelligence tools usable for researchers in project proposal writing.
Information posted on 14.06.2023.
- Summer School CLINICAL AND LABORATORY DATA MANAGEMENT AND MODELLING
Within the framework of the VirA project, RSU will be hosting a Summer School Clinical and laboratory data management and modelling from 3 to 7 July 2023.
The programme consists of two parts: lectures by foreign scientists and practical training, in which only the researchers involved in the project will participate and which will be organized in RSU laboratories.
We invite everyone interested to sign up for remote participation in the lectures, which will be held on 3, 4, 6 and 7 July.
Information posted on 22.06.2023.
- Recordings of the Workshop are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the workshop on proposal preparation and project management which was held on 26–27 June 2023:
26.06.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2358e869-d14e-46bd-8af5-b02f00e678bb
27.06.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=0c17389a-2fcd-4b51-a209-b03100fbd9e3
Information posted on 14.07.2023.
- Recordings of the Summer School are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the summer school Clinical and laboratory data management and modelling which was held on 3–7 July 2023. The links to recordings are available on the VirA project website.
Information posted on 18.07.2023.
- Call for Abstracts for the Project's Concluding Conference AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: MAIN PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
The conference Autoimmune Diseases: Main Problems and Solutions, scheduled to take place on 9-10 November 2023, will mark the conclusion of the project Reducing networking gaps between Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and internationally-leading counterparts in viral infection-induced autoimmunity research (VirA). Participants from the Baltic States, European research institutions, and project partner organisations – the University of Ferrara (Italy), Ulm University (Germany), and the Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases at the Sheba Medical Center (Israel) – will be in attendance.
Experts, professors, medical doctors, researchers, PhDs, and students will present their research in the field of autoimmune diseases through oral and poster presentations. On the second day of the conference, a special session on the achievements of the VirA project will be held.
Further information about registration and abstract submission is available here.
Information posted on 24.08.2023.
- Conference 'Autoimmune Diseases: Main Problems and Solutions' abstract book published
Information posted on 24.11.2023.
- Recordings of the Conference are available!
All interested parties are kindly invited to watch the recordings of the Conference Autoimmune diseases: main problems and solutions which was held on 9–10 November 2023:
09.11.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=9b11f3e…
10.11.2023.: https://panopto.rsu.lv/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=5b34655…
Information posted on 24.11.2023.
Download the abstract bookDokumenti
