Since January 1^st, 2021 Prof. Gracjan Michlewski leads the Dioscuri Centre for RNA-Protein Interactions in Human Health and Disease at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. The project is carried out within the Dioscuri Centre of Excellence programme, an initiative launched by the Max Planck Society (MPG) and jointly managed with the National Science Centre (NCN) in Poland. It is co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research during the first phase (2021–2025), and by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education together with the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space during the second phase (2026–2030).

	title: Laboratory of RNA-Protein Interactions – Dioscuri Centre
	aim: The major focus of Prof. Michlewski and his team investigations are on the RNA-protein interactions in innate immune response to RNA viruses including influenza, commonly known as the flu and are focused on two main topics which are: 1. Functional and structural characteristics of novel RBPs and RNA-protein interactions in innate immune response to RNA viruses and 2. Regulation of microRNAs through RBPs for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
	partner: Prof. Juri Rappsilber, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin in Germany
	project implementation period: January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2030
	funding: 2 995 000 EUR

The Dioscuri programme is initiated by the Max Planck Society, to support the development of lighthouses of scientific excellence in Central and Eastern Europe, promoting outstanding researchers who want to conduct their research within the region. The programme is designed to strengthen the scientific exchange between Poland and Germany. The work of the Centres are accompanied by Partners from German universities or research institutions.

1st phase (2021–2025)

Dioscuri Centre of Scientific Excellence. The Programme initiated by the Max Planck Society (MPG), managed jointly with the National Science Centre in Poland and mutually funded by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science (MEiN) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

2nd phase (2026–2030)

Dioscuri Centres of Scientific Excellence. A programme initiated by the Max Planck Society (MPG), jointly managed with the National Science Centre in Poland (NCN), and mutually funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

• September 1, 2022: Dioscuri Center 1st Scientific Advisory Board Meeting

• September 1, 2021: Representatives of five Polish Dioscuri Centers at a meeting at the Max Planck Society

• June 29, 2022: The Michlewski team discovers a new mechanism involved in TRIM25's antiviral activity

• October 7,2021: Visit of the German delegation at the IIMCB

• October 1, 2021: The Laboratory of RNA-Protein Interactions - Dioscuri Centre at IIMCB officially opened